Here’s a thoughtful prayer of commitment based on 1 Corinthians 8:1-3, one of the suggested scripture readings for January 29, 2012 (the fourth Sunday after Epiphany). It comes from the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website.
Prayer of Commitment
(inspired by 1 Corinthians 8:1-3)
'We know that 'all of us possess knowledge.'
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds us.
Anyone who claims to know something
does not yet have the necessary knowledge;
but anyone who loves God is known by him.'
(1 Corinthians 8:1-3)
Father of life,
Who sees all and knows all,
We come to you to confess what you already know -
That we do not have all the answers
That we so desperately long for
In order to free our world from poverty, pain and injustice.
But we are spending ourselves on loving you
And serving the orphan, the widow, and the stranger.
And so we ask, in your mercy, that you would fill us again for the work ahead.
Build us up in love
That we might pour ourselves out again and again
To build what counts and lasts forever – justice, peace, and freedom.
And to make it known that you are love,
Who sees all and knows all,
We come to you to confess what you already know -
That we do not have all the answers
That we so desperately long for
In order to free our world from poverty, pain and injustice.
But we are spending ourselves on loving you
And serving the orphan, the widow, and the stranger.
And so we ask, in your mercy, that you would fill us again for the work ahead.
Build us up in love
That we might pour ourselves out again and again
To build what counts and lasts forever – justice, peace, and freedom.
And to make it known that you are love,
and you give love,
and you require love in return.
Amen.
Amen.
— posted on the Christian Aid website.
For more worship resources for January 29, 2012 (the fourth Sunday after Epiphany), click on Epiphany 4B in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.
For more prayer resources on this blog, see the Scriptural Index of Prayers at the upper right side of the page.
