Here’s a prayer of confession and petition based on Psalm 78: 1-7, one of the scripture readings for Proper 27A (November 6, 2011). It was written by Joan Stott.
Prayers of Confession and Petition
(based on Psalm 78: 1-7)
O Lord our God, we gather today before you, conscious of our many failings, including our failure to be faithful to your word. We are very conscious too, of our failure to share the good news of your merciful love and your gracious commitment to your creation, and to all humanity, whom you created with a divine spark to enrich and enliven them.
We gather to confess our failure to learn from past lessons—both individually and collectively as a people before God. Merciful God, forgive our deliberate acts of turning away from you and your ways; our apathy towards the truth of your involvement with humanity over countless generations; and our thoughtless acts of stubbornness in seeking to live to please our own selfish yet fleeting desires and ambitions.
Holy God, we seek your merciful forgiveness for our failure to share with our children, and our children’s children, the truths about you, your love, and your compassion that we are blessed to receive. We ask that you inspire us with a zeal for sharing the ‘good news’ of God; to encourage us in our stuttering attempts to tell others what God has done for us throughout our life; and to empower us with a clear understanding of our own faith and trust in you, and your ways of justice and peace.
Unchanging God, help us to listen for the many tones and accents of God’s voice as it continues to sound softly and gently, or strongly and vibrantly through all time and eternity. Open our ears and our eyes to your presence with us each and every day so that we may recognise you at work in the lives of people within your gathered community; and in the way you, in your wisdom, use people to fulfil your purposes. Amen.
If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows: © 2011 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A, used with permission. Posted on the Geelong City Parish, UCA website.
