Here’s a wonderful act of confession written by Thom Shuman, and based on the suggested scripture passages for August 2 1 2 01 1 1 6
While we may yearn to be like Jesus,
we know that in our hotheaded choices, our frantic lives, our impetuous words,
we are too often like Peter.
But like him, we can confess Christ as our Lord,
speaking of our need for your saving presence in our lives.
Unison Prayer of Confession
We look for you in all the wrong places, God of the lost,
and wonder why we cannot find you.
We wander the corridors of power,
We wander the corridors of power,
while you are on the sidewalks, beside the homeless.
We sit at the head tables of the world,
while you are handing out soup to the hungry at the kitchen's backdoor.
We applaud those who win the race,
while you are cheering on those in last place.
while you are cheering on those in last place.
In forgiving us, God of new life,
you would transform our cold hearts
into those melted in service to others.
In granting us mercy,
you challenge us to think of all those we have ignored.
In gifting us with grace,
you enable us to proclaim Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior,
as the hope, the joy, the peace the world seeks.
Silence is kept
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
It's not money, but our generosity with it;
it is not power, but our willingness to humble ourselves;
it is not our efforts, but Christ's gift,
which transforms us into God's children.
It is more than just how we think.
In mercy and grace, our hearts, our lives, our spirits
are transfigured and made new.
are transfigured and made new.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
—written by Thom Shuman, and posted on his excellent blog, Lectionary Liturgies.
Visit his site for more resources for more great resources for August 2 1 2 01 1
including a Call to Worship, Prayer of the Day, and a Great Prayer of Thanksgiving.
