Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by the
Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). It was
written by Dr. Reggie Kidd, and posted on Cardiphonia.
(Visit the link below for a sung response to use between the sections.)
From
the Beatitudes – A Prayer of Confession
(inspired by Matthew 5:3-12)
Lord Jesus, you bless the poor in spirit
and give them the Kingdom.
But we fatten ourselves, as James says, “in the day
of slaughter”;
we turn away from those whose physical poverty
reminds us of our true spiritual state,
and we build our own little kingdoms of self.
Kyrie eleison — Lord, have mercy.
You bless those who mourn and you comfort them.
But we flee grief that leads to repentance,
and we seek comfort in possessions and prestige and
power.
Kyrie eleison — Lord, have mercy.
You bless the meek, and promise them the earth,
you bless the merciful, and promise them mercy.
But we are far from meek —
we try to make the world our own through pride and
self-promotion;
we forget the forgiveness that was won at such cost,
and we hold grudges at the slightest offense.
Kyrie eleison — Lord, have mercy.
You bless those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness—
you promise to satisfy their desires.
You bless the pure in heart, and promise that they
shall see God.
But we hunger and thirst after everything else:
the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes
and the pride of life;
our hearts are not pure, and so we cannot see you.
Kyrie eleison — Lord, have mercy.
You bless the peacemakers and the persecuted and the
reviled—
you call them sons of your Father
and you give them the kingdom of heaven.
But we covet each other’s things and looks and jobs
and successes,
and we cultivate friendship with world,
so showing ourselves more fit to be sons of the
devil
than heirs of your Kingdom.
Kyrie eleison — Lord, have mercy.
Kyrie eleison — Lord, have mercy.
Christe eleison — Christ, have mercy.
Kyrie eleison — Lord, have mercy.
Amen.
~ Copyright © Reggie Kidd. Posted on Cardiphonia.
http://cardiphonia.org/2010/04/23/beatitudes-prayer-of-confession-reggie-kidd/
