Assurances of Forgiveness


It is essential to follow a corporate confession of sin with some assurance of forgiveness, remembering the basis of that forgiveness in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is an important moment for proclaiming gospel promises and offering hope to those with guilty consciences. It should not be a mere formality. Scripture verses, declarations of forgiveness, and prayers for renewal of life and obedience can be included, together with suitable songs. The numbers here correspond with those in section 5, so that 6.1 is the form of assurance that was written to follow the confession at 5.1, and so on. In some cases, new compositions have been paired with familiar confessions.

6.1 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has no pleasure in the death of sinners,
but would rather they should turn from their wickedness and live.
He has given authority to his ministers to declare to his people when they repent
the forgiveness of their sins.
God pardons and absolves all who truly repent and believe his holy gospel.
So we ask him to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit,
that what we do now may please him
and that the rest of our life may be pure and holy,
so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (revised)

6.2

God pardons those who humbly repent and truly believe the gospel.
Since Jesus died for us, we have peace with God,
to whom be praise and honour for ever. Amen.

An Australian Prayer Book (modified).

6.3

Almighty God our heavenly father,
who of his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins
to all who with hearty repentance and true faith turn to him:
have mercy on you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins;
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness;
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

An Australian Prayer Book

6.4

Almighty God,
who has promised forgiveness of sins to all who turn to him in faith:
pardon you and set you free from all your sins,
strengthen you to do his will,
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

An Australian Prayer Book

6.5

God is slow to anger and full of compassion.
He forgives all who humbly repent and trust in his Son as Saviour and Lord.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Cf. Exodus 34:6-7; Romans 8:1

6.6

Our God fulfils his promises and is true to his word.
We have confessed our sins.
God has forgiven us,
because Christ died for us. Amen.

Sunday Services

6.7

Our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ gave himself for us
to redeem us from all wickedness
and to purify for himself are people that are his very own,
eager to do what is good.
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! Amen.

Cf. Titus 2:13-14; 2 Cor. 9:15

6.8

May the Father of all mercies cleanse us from our sins,
and restore us in his image,
to the praise and glory of his name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Common Worship

6.9

May the Father forgive us by the death of his Son
and strengthen us to live in the power of the Spirit all our days. Amen.

Common Worship

6.10

Merciful Lord,
grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

An Australian Prayer Book