Let us confess our sins remembering words from the letter to the Ephesians. Paul wrote, “putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another.”
Lord, sometimes we speak truth but only to injure others. Guide our tongues in ways of gentleness and truth.
Paul wrote, “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger…Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.”
Lord, we have held on to grudges beyond many setting suns. Lead us to use our emotions in ways that seek to build you up, not in ways that consume your people. May our words give grace to those who hear.
Paul wrote, “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”
Thank you, Lord, for the unending forgiveness you extend to us. At times it’s hard for us to put away bitterness and anger. Lead us in pathways of forgiveness; accepting your forgiveness of us and extending forgiveness to others. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Emily Schlaman Larsen, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Winston-Salem, NC
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