Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by Proverbs 22 and James 2:1-17, some of the suggested scripture readings for Proper 18 B (the fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost). It was adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009.
Prayer of Confession
(inspired by Proverbs 22, James 2:1-17)
Gracious God,
we come before you today
knowing that we often fall short of your call
to love one another well.
We allow ourselves to be blinded
by wealth and power.
We ignore those around us
who suffer injustice, poverty, and rejection.
We tune out the cries of the poor
and those on the edges of our communities.
we come before you today
knowing that we often fall short of your call
to love one another well.
We allow ourselves to be blinded
by wealth and power.
We ignore those around us
who suffer injustice, poverty, and rejection.
We tune out the cries of the poor
and those on the edges of our communities.
Help us to see your great generosity,
hear your word of mercy,
and feel your great love
for all who need your redemptive grace.
hear your word of mercy,
and feel your great love
for all who need your redemptive grace.
Strengthen us to reach out in service
to those who are in need.
Make us aware of those outside our own communities,
that we may see them as your precious children
and serve them in humility and joy.
to those who are in need.
Make us aware of those outside our own communities,
that we may see them as your precious children
and serve them in humility and joy.
May we continue to grow in grace
as we learn how to serve you
in the name of the great Servant,
even Jesus Christ. Amen.
as we learn how to serve you
in the name of the great Servant,
even Jesus Christ. Amen.
~ Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009, © 2008 Abingdon Press. Posted on the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/
