Confession: 2 Corinthians 12: 2-10

Here’s a thoughtful prayer of confession from Moira Laidlaw’s Liturgies Online website.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by 2 Corinthians 12: 2-10)

Merciful God, of what do we boast? 

Can we truly say with Paul that we do not boast about ourselves

or our achievements?

Does the danger in such thinking lie in the next step—

the thought that we can do anything, or all things—by ourselves?

Forgive us the times when we ignore you, O God,

and depend on our own strength to do things our own way.

Paul talks about power being made perfect in weakness.
Forgive us for believing

that we have to be hard and domineering

if we want to get ahead in life.

Paul says that he boasts of his weaknesses

so that the power of Christ may dwell in him.
Forgive us when we use our power selfishly or aggressively,

ignoring that indwelling, Christ-given power

which frees us to be vulnerable.

Jesus says “My grace is sufficient for you,

for power is made perfect in weakness.”

Permeate our lives with your grace, Lord,

so that we can affirm with Paul

that we are content with weaknesses for your sake,

and fill us with the knowledge

that it is when we allow ourselves to be empowered by you,

that we are truly strong.  Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness
Hear again the good news: that Jesus’ grace is sufficient for us all—

sufficient for us to be forgiven in his name. 

Receive that grace and rejoice in the power to live in his strength.
Thanks be to God!

~ written by Moira Laidlaw, on Liturgies Online.  http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/ Visit that site for many other excellent lectionary-based worship resources.