God…
We want to be humble.
We don’t like to call attention to ourselves…
unless we’re doing something.
We don’t assume that we have all the answers…
unless we’re still breathing.
We don’t want to be given titles…
unless we can use them for our own advantage.
We want to be humble…
because you said it will make us great.
Help us understand what humility means…
and teach us to be faithful servants…
to ourseves, to one another, and to those around us…
prayers
litany for September 11
A Litany of Remembrance, Thanksgiving, and Healing
submitted by Rev. Joshua W. Hale, Perritte Memorial Methodist Church, Nacogdoches, Texas
September 11th Litany (PDF)
illumination: painting the world
submitted by Rev. Scott Cervas, Meadowthorpe Presbyterian Church
Imagining God,
Words are like brushes of paint
placed perfectly upon a canvas
slowly creating an image
that reveals both simple and profound impressions.
As we gaze at this vibrant picture…
as we look for wisdom within the lines and curves…
may we recognize the beauty of our life together
and the vivid colors you imagine us spreading throughout the world.
Amen
confession: passing blame
submitted by Rev. Scott Cervas, Meadowthorpe Presbyterian Church, based on the epistle reading, Romans 7:15-25a.
God…sometimes, there is nothing more freeing than to utter those six innocent words…The Devil Made Me Do It! Life is so much easier when we can avoid the blame for our own mistakes. The sooner we can turn everyone’s attention away from our weaknesses, the better. That’s what we think, anyway. We don’t like to be accused. We don’t like to be wrong. And we certainly don’t like to be guilty. So we pass the blame, and fail to get to the heart of the issue. Help us to claim our mistakes, to learn from them, to grow out of them, and to be transformed by your vision for our lives…
confession: from the Brief Statement
An adaptation of the Brief Statement of Faith into a prayer of confession.
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
One: Loving God, you created all things good,
All: yet, we confess, we do not always trust you.
One: You made us in your image,
All: yet we rebel against you, we hide from our Creator.
One: You gave us your word, your promise,
All: yet we ignore your commandments,
we accept lies as truth,
we exploit neighbor and nature,
we abandon your covenant.
One: And yet…
You, God, chose us
and you continue to choose us.
All: You act with mercy and compassion to redeem us
again and again.
One: Forgive our arrogance, forgive our idol-making.
Open our ears to hear your voice, O God.
All: Set us free again,
that we might put our hope, our trust, our faith
only in you. Amen.
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