Father, we welcome you.
We greet you as though you are king.
We lay our palm branches before you
in hopes that you will save us.
Save us from our circumstances.
Make our lives here on Earth easier.
We have things we need you to do.
Father, we confess that we do not understand.
Where is your white horse?
What are you waiting for?
Father, we have been inconvenienced for too long.
Father, it is time.
We have things we need you to do.
Father, we confess that we are confused.
If you have come to save us,
and you have come in peace,
why are you so angry?
You turn over our tables and call us thieves?
What are you doing?
This is not what we need you to do.
Father, we confess that we stand with the crowd.
We hope that you can’t hear our voice as we yell.
Father we are embarrassed that we turn so quickly.
We don’t understand.
We are confused.
This is not what we thought would happen.
We had things we needed you to do.
Father, forgive us.
We have our own agenda.
We welcome you for selfish gain.
Change our hearts, Father.
Save us now.
Bring us peace
by killing the hostility that divides us from you.
Part the waters.
Tear the curtain.
All we need you to do
is rescue us.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Lenten Confession #5- Confession of forgetfulness
Father, we do not remember.
We stand on dry ground,
purposefully unaware of how we came to this place.
We forge ahead with no concern.
You swallow up our enemies behind us,
and we hardly notice.
Father, we are preoccupied with us.
We live thanklessly.
Expecting instead of humbly hoping and praying for your hand in our lives.
You are our salvation, yet we do not speak of you.
We have more pressing matters at hand.
Our words can be a fountain of life,
sharing the memories of how you have delivered us.
But instead our words are shallow and of no significance.
Father, we want to remember.
We want to share what you have given us.
We want your Kingdom to come,
on Earth as it is in heaven.
But we get lost.
Our words can be a fountain of life,
sharing the memories of how you have delivered us.
Give us the words, O Father.
May we sing the song of Moses.
May we remember where we have been.
May we live purposefully aware of how we came to this place.
May we forge ahead without worry.
May we notice.
May we live thankfully, humbly praying for your hand in our lives.
You are our salvation.
May we speak of you.
There is no more pressing matter at hand.
May our words be a fountain of life,
sharing the memories of how you have delivered us.
We stand on dry ground,
purposefully unaware of how we came to this place.
We forge ahead with no concern.
You swallow up our enemies behind us,
and we hardly notice.
Father, we are preoccupied with us.
We live thanklessly.
Expecting instead of humbly hoping and praying for your hand in our lives.
You are our salvation, yet we do not speak of you.
We have more pressing matters at hand.
Our words can be a fountain of life,
sharing the memories of how you have delivered us.
But instead our words are shallow and of no significance.
Father, we want to remember.
We want to share what you have given us.
We want your Kingdom to come,
on Earth as it is in heaven.
But we get lost.
Our words can be a fountain of life,
sharing the memories of how you have delivered us.
Give us the words, O Father.
May we sing the song of Moses.
May we remember where we have been.
May we live purposefully aware of how we came to this place.
May we forge ahead without worry.
May we notice.
May we live thankfully, humbly praying for your hand in our lives.
You are our salvation.
May we speak of you.
There is no more pressing matter at hand.
May our words be a fountain of life,
sharing the memories of how you have delivered us.
Lenten Confession #4- We are at the wrong table.
The foolish woman invites us in.
Her house void of light and heavy with sin.
The table is set.
She serves only bread and water,
but it appears enticing,
and calls to us like the forbidden fruit.
We eat in darkness,
hiding what we do and who we are.
We settle for less.
Is it because we are selfish?
Is it because we are prideful?
Or is it simply because we do not know how to stop?
Lady wisdom invites us in.
Her house, a temple to God.
The table is set.
She serves meat and wine.
A banquet for even the least of these.
Father we wish to dine with there.
We desire instruction.
We long for wisdom.
We want to humbly take our place,
knowing that we do not deserve a seat.
Father,
give us the courage to walk past the foolish invitations.
They are loud. They are powerful. They are everywhere.
We admit we are comfortable in our own sin,
and we enjoy being at the wrong table.
We obviously do not fear you.
Show us your power, Father.
Show us through your forgiveness,
your mercy,
and your grace.
Guide us to your table, Father.
Humble us.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. We are sinners.
Her house void of light and heavy with sin.
The table is set.
She serves only bread and water,
but it appears enticing,
and calls to us like the forbidden fruit.
We eat in darkness,
hiding what we do and who we are.
We settle for less.
Is it because we are selfish?
Is it because we are prideful?
Or is it simply because we do not know how to stop?
Lady wisdom invites us in.
Her house, a temple to God.
The table is set.
She serves meat and wine.
A banquet for even the least of these.
Father we wish to dine with there.
We desire instruction.
We long for wisdom.
We want to humbly take our place,
knowing that we do not deserve a seat.
Father,
give us the courage to walk past the foolish invitations.
They are loud. They are powerful. They are everywhere.
We admit we are comfortable in our own sin,
and we enjoy being at the wrong table.
We obviously do not fear you.
Show us your power, Father.
Show us through your forgiveness,
your mercy,
and your grace.
Guide us to your table, Father.
Humble us.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. We are sinners.
Lenten Confession #3- Confession that we are not listening
Father,
to fear you is to hate evil.
But we no longer fear you.
We do not hate evil,
we love it.
We embrace it.
We pursue it.
We tune out your voice, oh God, to hear what this world offers.
Father, you hate pride,
but we are proud.
We need to be recognized.
We need to be right.
We tune out your voice, oh God, as we listen for our own.
Father, you hate arrogance,
but we believe in ourselves more than we believe in you.
We work as if everything depends on us.
We provide for ourselves.
We act as if we do not need you.
We tune out your voice. We do not need your help.
Father, you hate perverted speech,
but we speak freely.
We condemn others.
We twist your words for personal gain.
We defile things that you create,
We can not hear your voice over our own laughter.
Is there still hope for us Father?
We embrace the things you hate.
We revel in our sin.
Father help us to hear your voice again.
May your wisdom be our guide.
Father what chance do we have outside of your instruction?
We are listening Father, speak to us…
to fear you is to hate evil.
But we no longer fear you.
We do not hate evil,
we love it.
We embrace it.
We pursue it.
We tune out your voice, oh God, to hear what this world offers.
Father, you hate pride,
but we are proud.
We need to be recognized.
We need to be right.
We tune out your voice, oh God, as we listen for our own.
Father, you hate arrogance,
but we believe in ourselves more than we believe in you.
We work as if everything depends on us.
We provide for ourselves.
We act as if we do not need you.
We tune out your voice. We do not need your help.
Father, you hate perverted speech,
but we speak freely.
We condemn others.
We twist your words for personal gain.
We defile things that you create,
We can not hear your voice over our own laughter.
Is there still hope for us Father?
We embrace the things you hate.
We revel in our sin.
Father help us to hear your voice again.
May your wisdom be our guide.
Father what chance do we have outside of your instruction?
We are listening Father, speak to us…
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