Gracious
God, whose mercy is everlasting and whose love surpasses our
understanding, we confess that we have been uncertain servants and
reluctant disciples. We have set our hearts on our own
comforts and have ignored the burdens that others carry. We
have seen our brothers and sisters hurt or hungry or poor or lonely
and have not given them all the help we could. We have grown
indifferent to injustice and tolerant of violence. Forgive our
callousness and our self-absorption. We call ourselves
Christians; Lord, make us more Christ-like. In his name, we ask it.
Amen.
In
your wonderful works, O God, we rejoice. In your promises we
have hope. By your grace we receive new life, even as we deny
ourselves, take up Christ's cross, and follow. Our hearts
rejoice, as your word instructs us anew. Amen.
We
come to you, O God, an unfaithful people. We have sinned
against you and done much that is evil in your sight. The
shadows of sin dominate us, and our secret faults separate us from
the light and knowledge of your presence. Have mercy upon us,
blot out our transgressions, forgive our iniquity, and remember our
sin no more. Purge us and we will be clean, wash us and we
will be purer than newfallen snow. Grant us, O God, a new and
right Spirit. Amen.
Open
to us your perfect law, O God, that we may live by its spirit of
love. Empower us to embrace your foolishness rather than human
wisdom, your weakness rather than human strength, the crucified and
risen Christ rather than earthly principalities and powers.
Help us to discern the errors within and among us that separate us
from others, our own best selves, and you as we listen to your holy
word. Amen.
Sower
of good seed, by whose word we are equipped for fruitful living, we
long to be good soil in which your truth can take root. May we hear
your word and understand it, not just for ourselves, but for the
sake of our sisters and brothers who need our faithful witness.
Amen.
God
of heaven and earth, by whose gracious will we have been privileged
to know you through Jesus Christ, reveal yourself once more through
ancient word and present action. Lift the heavy burdens we
cannot carry alone and the sin that clings so closely, that we may
be freed to worship and serve you. As we welcome the yoke of
Christ, we seek the gentleness and humility that empower us for the
tasks you give us. May we share the rest Christ offers with
all the weary. Amen.
Of
God our Shepherd, we have wandered far from your ways. We have
pursued our own ideas as if they were superior to your truth. We
live with secrets that we fear to be known. We are afraid to face
evil, to confront those we label enemies, to deal with issues of
life and death. We are sometimes rigid and legalistic. We blame
others for our own failures. Turn us around so we can accept your
forgiveness, live more positively in the present, and truly rejoice
in your good news. Amen.
O
God, when we sense who you are, we know our own sin. In our
murmuring and
fault-finding, we have forgotten your mercy. With hardened hearts,
we have ignored your needy
children. We have chosen to live in desert places,
rather than asking for a drink of living water. We
have hoarded your blessings and
forgotten they are for us to share. Our wealth has impoverished us,
and our certainties have made
us brittle. We are perishing! Please save us from ourselves,
we pray through Christ our Savior. Amen
Eye-opening
God, whose compassion reaches out to all who walk in darkness, help
us to recognize the blind spots in our lives. Keep us from aimless wandering,
from narrow judgments, from unfruitful works and underhanded methods.
We want to walk as children of light, to be instruments of healing,
to recognize your activity among us. Illuminate and enlighten us now,
that your Church may express faith in Christ through all we say and do. In
our Redeemer’s name we pray. Amen
O
God, we have hidden impure motives behind pious words and covered up
selfish actions with good works that draw attention to ourselves
rather than to the Gospel. We have ignored your law as if it
did not apply to us, or tried to keep its letter without being
changed by the grace and power of its Author. Forgive us, we
pray, and save us from this way of death. Amen
God
of broken dreams and empty tombs, you meet us when we feel empty and
with out strength or purpose; you are present in the midst of our
hopelessness and despair. You greet us in times of fulfillment and
joy; you are with
us when life is going well. As we hear stories of your people who
have had experiences similar to our own, grant that we may know your
transforming presence as they did. Bring new life to us that we may
walk as your people, affirming your gifts and celebrating your love.
In our Redeemer’s name we pray. Amen
We
confess, O God, that we have not been as open as you intend to the
winds of the Spirit. There are times when we merely exist, as if the
tomb had already closed us in. We have hoarded your bounty without
thankfulness or generosity. We have set our minds on things of the
flesh and ignored your intentions for us. O God, forgive our foolish
ways. Breathe into us once more the breath of life, that we may walk
before you in the land of the living. Amen
Reigning God, whose appearances among us came
in many forms, grant that we may be alert and responsive to your
Presence. When our limited expectations cut us off from you, open
our senses to new experiences, not just for ourselves but that the world
may believe. May the relationship of trust open vistas of service that
link all humankind in caring community. Amen
Speak to us, Holy Counselor, and empower us to live by eternal
values. Dwell in us, Spirit of Truth, to fill us with love
that surpasses knowledge. Manifest your presence in us, to
link us with all who seek your will and long to unit as your
people. Make us channels of hope to more of your children.
Amen
Wondrous
God, on whom we rely for life and its meaning, we confess that we
have sinned against you by abandoning hope, by failing to accept
your promises, by being afraid to follow where you lead, and by
trusting more in our own wisdom than in your goodness. Forgive
us. Open our hearts to your mercy, our minds to your teaching,
our wills to your leading and our hands in service to others.
Revive in us a living faith and a trust in your grace; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, we ask it. Amen.
Remove,
O God, the chasm we have created between ourselves and your will for
all people. Speak through the Scriptures, so we may hear the
cries of the poor, oppressed, and troubled. Set our hopes on you and
focus our concern on what is most important in your eternal
purposes. Grant us wisdom to heed your Word and to consider,
above all else, your steadfast love. Pour out your Spirit to
bring us new life. Amen.
Christ
Jesus, our teacher and our friend, we have not listened for your
word amid the clamor of words all around us. We try harder to
defend what we think we know than to reach for that which is beyond
our grasp. Slow to trust, afraid of the unknown, we are
cautious to hear and do your will. We pray for ears to hear
the cries of our neighbors and for hearts which resonate with your
Spirit. Empower us that we may learn afresh to sing the songs
of faith, hope, and love. Amen.