Here’s
a prayer of confession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Trinity
Sunday, Year C (Psalm 8, Proverbs 8, Romans 5:1-5). It was written by Rev. Heather A. Moody.
Prayer of Confession
(inspired by Psalm 8,
Proverbs 8, Romans 5:1-5)
Gracious
God, the psalmist declares
that
you have given human beings
dominion
over the works of your hands.
All
too often, though,
we
confuse this holy charge with having ownership.
We
then treat your creation as a resource
to
be used for our needs and our profit.
We
find ourselves reluctant to count the cost
of
our failure to be your faithful stewards
until
disaster strikes.
And
so we pray, show us another way, O God.
Show us
another way.
Holy
God, your cry for wisdom and understanding
echoes
in our homes, our workplaces, our schools,
our
church committee meetings, our legislatures and our courts.
We
confess we don’t always want to hear that cry,
deciding
instead to rely on familiar habits,
comfortable
assumptions, and quick conclusions.
We
ask you to show us another way, O God.
Show us
another way.
Merciful
God, the apostle Paul proclaims
peace,
hope, and grace are your gifts to us.
And
yet there are times when
grief
overwhelms us, anxiety holds us captive,
and
suffering leaves us numb with despair.
We
wonder how, even if you are at work
in our lives,
and
we long for you to show us another way, O God.
Show us
another way.
(silent prayers)
Words of Assurance
Friends,
hear this great good news:
God
continually shows us another way.
God’s
mercy is as wide as the ocean.
God’s
desire to forgive is as strong as the mighty wind.
So
let your hearts receive the outpouring of God’s love
through
the Holy Spirit.
~
written by Rev. Heather A. Moody, and posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/
