Here’s a prayer of
confession and words of assurance inspired by the suggested scripture readings
for Easter 4, Year C (Psalm 23, John 10:22-30, Revelation 7:9-17). They come from the Abingdon Worship Annual, and was posted on the Ministry Matters website.
Prayer
of Confession
(inspired by Psalm 23, John 10:22-30, Revelation 7:9-17)
Master, Savior, Shepherd, Messiah—
we know you by many names, Lord.
Your presence fills our lives—
all that we are and all that we have
comes from you;
all that you do declares your love for us.
we know you by many names, Lord.
Your presence fills our lives—
all that we are and all that we have
comes from you;
all that you do declares your love for us.
Yet when trouble comes,
when adversity plagues us,
we wonder where you are;
we even wonder who you are.
when adversity plagues us,
we wonder where you are;
we even wonder who you are.
How quickly we forget
that you are always with us.
that you are always with us.
Dispel our gloom and despair.
Change our garments of darkness
into robes of dazzling light.
Spread your table before us,
and feed us from your hand.
Change our garments of darkness
into robes of dazzling light.
Spread your table before us,
and feed us from your hand.
Lead us in the paths of righteousness,
for it is in your name that we pray. Amen.
for it is in your name that we pray. Amen.
Words of Assurance
(inspired by Psalm 23, John 10:22-30, Revelation 7:9-17)
Even in the darkest valley,
though death’s shadow may threaten us,
we need not fear, for the Lord is with us.
God will comfort and shelter us.
No harm will come to us.
No one can snatch us out of the Lord’s hand.
God will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
though death’s shadow may threaten us,
we need not fear, for the Lord is with us.
God will comfort and shelter us.
No harm will come to us.
No one can snatch us out of the Lord’s hand.
God will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
~
from The Abingdon Worship Annual, edited
by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu, Copyright © Abingdon Press. Posted on the Worship Elements page of the Ministry
Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/
