All: God, we want so badly to do what is right. In our zeal we forget to listen for your voice, forging ahead on our own way since we cannot imagine another. We close our eyes to your image shining in the faces of the wrong people. We close our ears to your word coming from those with whom we disagree. We close our hearts against those who are different. Instead we offer advice, or ultimatums, or patronizing help, when what you desire is relationship, compassion, and justice.
~silence~
One: Forgive us, O God.
All: Heal our hard-heartedness. Shift our thinking. Open our eyes. Turn us to follow your way.
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL
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