LITANY OF CONFESSION
One: We don’t want to be renewed.
We like things the way they are.
We don’t let our imaginations run free.
We don’t seek who God wants us to be.
We’re stuck on one way of being – going in one direction.
The problem is not who we are (we are beloved children of God!) but how we are.
All: Help us to turn.
Reshape us.
Reform us.
Kyrie # 572: Lord, have mercy upon us; Christ have mercy upon us;
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Time of Silent Meditation: Where are you stubborn with God?
One: O God, your steadfast love endures forever.
All: We choose whom You can love.
We limit Your love.
We act as if we are undeserving of Your love.
We don’t share Your love.
We forget that we are created in Your image.
We forget that You are love.
We choose judgment rather than love.
We limit the reach of Your love.
We ignore Your call to love.
Lord, have mercy upon us; Christ have mercy upon us;
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Time of Silent Meditation: Where do you withhold love?
One: Have mercy on us, O God.
All: I am comfortable the way things are.
I prefer the illusion of control.
I turn my eyes away from people in need.
I turn my heart away from people with whom I disagree.
I turn my mind away from realities of the world.
Lord, have mercy upon us; Christ have mercy upon us;
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Time of Silent Meditation: How do you withhold love?
One: Help us. Guide us. Open us.
All: You love us unconditionally… forgive our conditions.
We turn from Your world in need.
We turn our eyes from a dying creation.
We turn inward to save our institutions instead of heeding Your call to go out.
Turn us God.
Turn us from our selfish ways.
Turn us to Your way.
Turn our eyes to You.
Turn our hearts.
Lord, have mercy upon us; Christ have mercy upon us;
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Time of Silent Meditation: Who is God calling you to be?
One: Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?
All: I do.
One: Who is your Lord and Savior?
All: Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.
Lord, have mercy upon us; Christ have mercy upon us;
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Submitted by Rev. Kathryn Johnston, Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church, Mechanicsburg PA. Adapted from the Ash Wednesday brainstorming post here on LL.
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