Here’s a prayer of confession originally written for worship on Independence Day in the United States (July 4).
Prayer of Confession
As a community of believers, Holy One,
we open ourselves to your restorative presence.
We are surrounded by beauty,
yet we often fail to wonder.
We are symbols of hope,
yet we often succumb to despair.
We are blessed beyond measure,
yet we often allow greed to shape our generosity.
We are uncommonly free,
yet we often bind ourselves to yesterday’s failures.
We are gifted and graced as a people of faith,
yet we often fail to let our light shine.
We are loved beyond measure,
yet we often fail to pass on your love unconditionally.
In these moments of shared silence, encourage us to lay down our burdens,
release our fears, forgive our failures, reclaim our hopes,
and align ourselves with your deep wisdom.
Sustained silence for personal reflection
Assurance of Grace
We are the light of the world, by the power of God’s grace.
Our freedom is a gift: receive it fully;
Our purpose is justice: do it rightly;
Our hope is peace: pursue it faithfully;
Our calling is life: live it well.
God is faithful in all things and so it is.
— from God’s Freedom is Beyond Measure, written by Reverend Dr. June C. Goudey, and posted on the United Church of Christ website. http://www.ucc.org/
For more resources suitable for national celebrations, click on National Prayers in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.
