Here’s a prayer of confession (and perhaps an
opening prayer) inspired by Jesus’ call in Mark 8:31-38, Matthew 16:24-26 and
Luke 9:23. It was written by Rev. Shannan Vance-Ocampo and posted on LiturgyLink.
Prayer of Confession
(inspired by Matthew
16:24-26, Mark 8:31-38, Luke 9:23)
We hear the words from Jesus:
“Take up your cross and
follow me.”
These words scare us.
We know what taking up a cross meant for him.
We do not feel able to sacrifice our lives.
We are not even ready on most days
We know what taking up a cross meant for him.
We do not feel able to sacrifice our lives.
We are not even ready on most days
to sacrifice smaller things for the sake of the
Kingdom.
Today O God we confess our timidity,
our weaknesses,
our fears,
and our hesitations.
As we gather today—
as we look at the cross in front of us,
as we remember the crosses
as we remember the crosses
that marked our foreheads on Ash Wednesday,
such a short time ago,
to begin the Lenten journey,
as we think of the Cross that Lent calls us to journey towards
may we find strength in new places deep within our souls.
as we think of the Cross that Lent calls us to journey towards
may we find strength in new places deep within our souls.
May we find courage, hope, and the peace
to really follow Jesus.
May worship today help us
to begin the Lenten journey
towards finding our crosses
towards finding our crosses
and figuring out how to bear them.
Hear our prayers,
remind us of the grace that covers our sin
and offers us the endurance
to the run the race of faith.
remind us of the grace that covers our sin
and offers us the endurance
to the run the race of faith.
Amen and Amen.
~ written by Rev.
Shannan Vance-Ocampo, Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church, North Plainfield,
New Jersey. Posted on LiturgyLink. https://www.liturgylink.net/
