Confession: Luke 14: 25-33

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by Jesus’ exhortation in Luke 14:25-33.  It was written by James G. Kirk.

Prayer of Confession
(inspired by Luke 14:25-33)

God in Christ,
who endured the cross in your own flesh for our sakes,
hear us as we confess our sin.  
We would be your bold disciples, but we fear suffering;
we would carry our cross, but it weighs too heavily.  
We count the cost of following you—as long as there are benefits;
but to renounce all we have is a devastating prospect.  
Forgive the conditions we make when we try to obey,
and free us by your grace to forsake all and follow you.

~ written by James G. Kirk, in When We Gather:  A Book of Prayers for Worship, Year C (Philadelphia, PA:  Geneva Press, 1985).  Posted on Gathered Prayers. http://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/prayer-of-confession-for-the-sixteenth-sunday-after-pentecost/