Here’s a
thoughtful act of confession written by Thom Shuman.
Call to
Reconciliation
We've tried to stop, haven't we? All the foolishness which causes us to
stumble, all the mistakes which hurt others, all the words of peace we might
speak, but don't. Let us join our voices as we open our souls to that tender
Heart who longs to forgive us, praying,
Unison Prayer of
Confession
When sin and death
hover around us,
like famished vultures,
you fill us with new strength
so they cannot feed on us;
when our bitterness
clamps tight around our hearts
with its steel-like teeth,
you pry us loose
with your scarred hands
so we might walk in faith with you;
when we stack our hurts
one on top of the another,
like kindling wood,
ready to set the match
of our anger to the pile,
you pour your spirit
of forgiveness upon them,
until they are soaked so thoroughly,
nothing can ignite them.
Our help, our hope, our life, our peace
are truly found in the name
of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!
Silence is kept
hover around us,
like famished vultures,
you fill us with new strength
so they cannot feed on us;
when our bitterness
clamps tight around our hearts
with its steel-like teeth,
you pry us loose
with your scarred hands
so we might walk in faith with you;
when we stack our hurts
one on top of the another,
like kindling wood,
ready to set the match
of our anger to the pile,
you pour your spirit
of forgiveness upon them,
until they are soaked so thoroughly,
nothing can ignite them.
Our help, our hope, our life, our peace
are truly found in the name
of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
The good news is this:
God loves the world so much as to make it a fit place to live;
God loves us so much as to reshape us into people of faith.
Like a cup of cold water,
Like a cup of cold water,
forgiveness revives us, restores us, gives us new life.
Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.
~ written
by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary
Liturgies. Visit that site for many
other excellent worship resources. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/
