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Ordinary 21C

Prayer: Mercy and Justice

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written for National Day of Prayer, for the government.
Lord, as we delicately balance a relationship between mercy and justice
Give us a prudence for Good News when only Sheol surrounds us.
Suffering is real, death is real, this pandemic is real, and you are real.
Those who discern their power in the midst of crisis through wisdom
comfort the poor, shepherd the vulnerable, feed the hungry, and heal sick.
May their work translate from the language of illness to the celebration of wholeness.
Those who discern their power in the midst of crisis through foolishness
ignore the poor, endanger the vulnerable, hoard from hunger, and heal only some.
We know now that you show no partiality and we search to find you in all creatures.
Make our leaders grow as people worthy of their civic calling.
Make us uneasy when they act with injustice, and proud when they pursue peace.
Dissuade any political entity or party from propaganda, misinformation, & scapegoating.
Bring forward in our government the best of who we are when we are fully human
And actively decide to love our neighbor as ourselves.
We do this because you first loved us.
In Jesus Name.
submitted by Brian Merritt, First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown, NJ 

Confession: excuses

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Call to Confession

The one who knit us together in our mothers’ wombs
searches us and knows our hearts.
There is no hiding our sin from our Creator,
but also no need to hide.
For the Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and full of love.
Trusting in the one who makes us whole,
let us offer our whole selves to God.

Prayer of Confession

Holy God,
You claimed us before the foundation of the world,
and set us apart for your work –
to pluck up the weeds of injustice
and tear down walls that divide;
to plant seeds of compassion
and build your kingdom of peace.
Too often we cower in fear,
Instead of stepping out in faith.
Like Jeremiah, we make excuses –
we are too young, or too old;
we do not have the right gifts
or the experience to lead.
Forgive us, God, when we resist our callings
and choose what is comfortable over what is faithful.
Help us remember that – in You –
we are fully known and fully loved.
May this assurance give us courage in our calling
to pluck up and to tear down,
to build and to plant,
in service to Christ our Lord.

 

Submitted by Rev. Sudie Niesen Thompson, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, DE

confession: too _____

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One:  Gracious God, you know each of us by name, and you have given each of us a particular set of gifts and a calling in this world.  So often, we don’t make the most of these gifts and we act as though we are inadequate to answer your call.  We say things like,

Men:  I’m too old.

Women:  I’m too scared.

Children & Youth:  I’m too young.

All:  Forgive us, Lord, when we ignore your call.

. . .  silence . . .

One:  Even when we hear your call, even when we sense that you have a particular purpose for us, we come up with reasons why we can’t or shouldn’t respond.  We say things like,

Men:  I’m too busy.

Women:  I’m too tired.

Children & Youth:  I don’t know how.

All:  Forgive us, Lord, when we protest your call.  Help us to see that you have a purpose and a calling for each of us.   By your Spirit, remind us of your constant presence with us as we seek to be in your witnesses in our local community and beyond.  Amen.

 

Submitted by Rev. Katelyn Gordon, Providence Presbyterian Church