Here’s
a prayer of confession for the third Sunday after Epiphany. It was inspired by the story of Jonah.
Prayer of Confession
(inspired by Jonah
3:1-10)
Holy
One, what a blessing and privilege we share
here
in this sacred space and among this loving community.
But,
like Jonah, we sometimes are jealous of what we share here.
We
know that others are longing and thirsting for what we know and experience.
Forgive
us our reluctance to open our doors,
open
our hearts to others; some like us, some not.
We
repent of our hesitations and unwillingness
to
witness to those we have considered strangers and even enemies
for
fear they just might become friends. Amen.
Words of Assurance
The
one who calls us to this place
calls
us to reconciliation through grace.
God
will not deny a repentant heart or an open spirit.
Know
that you are forgiven
and
walk in the new way that is made known to you in God’s love. Amen
~ written by the Rev. Madison Shockley, in Reluctant Evangelists: Service Prayers for the Third
Sunday after Epiphany. Rev. Shockley is
pastor of Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad, CA. Posted on http://www.ucc.org/worship_worship-ways
