Here’s a corporate prayer of confession inspired by
Joel 2: 28-29. It was written by Rev.
Christopher Ney.
Call
to Confession
We turn to God in prayer
not because we are compelled
but because God invites us.
We come to God
not because of our righteousness
but because of God’s grace.
In that spirit,
we offer this prayer of confession and unburdening.
Unison
Prayer of Confession
Loving
God, we know that in every generation
you
call forth prophets to proclaim your word.
We
give you thanks that you are still speaking even today.
Your
Spirit inspires the young to see visions of a new creation
and
elders to dream of a time not yet known.
Yet
we confess that we fail to hear your voice
when
it comes from an unexpected place.
Convinced
that we are right,
we
miss the Good News of your reconciling love.
Forgive
us, God.
Restore
us with humility and awaken us anew
to
your presence and your promise. Amen.
Assurance
of Pardon
The God of creation is a God of mercy.
God is quick to forgive
and God’s promise of restoration is for all people.
Friends believe the Good News of the Gospel
~ written by Rev. Christopher Ney, in Prophecy, Dreams and Visions: Service
Prayers for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost. Posted on the United
Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/