Acknowledging Evil and Seeking God's Mercy

In today's first reading, Daniel 9": 4b-10, the people of Israel acknowledge their sinful ways before the Lord, saying:  "We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws. We have not obeyed your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and all the people of the land. Justice, O Lord, is on your side; we are shamefaced even to this day: we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel, near and far, in all the countries to which you have scattered them because of their treachery toward you."

This is our confession today, Lord.  We have sinned. We have been wicked and done evil: sold children into the slavery of human trafficking, drug trafficking, slave labor. We have sacrificed children, denying them the faith as we engaged in hedonistic pleasures and past times.  We have coveted our neighbor's wife and material possessions. We have cheated the poor and denied justice to the needy. We have destroyed Mother Earth by pouring toxic poisons into the universe, causing global warming and destruction of the environment.  We have turned to false gods for security and walked away from You in our churches and synagogues. Yes, Lord, "we the men and women of _______________, the residents of ____________________, and all of ______________________, near and far, in all the countries where your children are scattered have departed from and rebelled against your commandments and laws."  Lord, have mercy!  Christ, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!  Forgive me the times that I have contributed to the wickedness in the world, its corruption, its deception, its evil ways or denied the existence of evil or the truth that Satan is prowling the world seeking someone to devour.