Confession, Collects and Prayers: February 26, 2012 - First Sunday in Lent

Prayer of Confession

As we gather together in this season of Lent, as we prepare to retell the story of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection, let us confess our sins before God and one another.  With our words of confession I will say, “Hear our prayer” and we will respond, “Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.”

Let us pray:  Gracious God, we confess today that we have not loved you with everything that we are.  We have more often done what is right in our own eyes than we have done your will.  We still often think that obedience is a matter of convenience rather than your gracious call to us.

Hear our prayer.  Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

Forgive us, Lord Jesus Christ, that we have ignored your words of law, to love our neighbors as ourselves and to love God with all that we are.  Forgive us for looking away from the man standing on the corner with his sign.  Forgive us for ignoring the co-worker whose life is falling apart around her.  Forgive us for choosing to close our doors rather than stop and say hello to a neighbor.  Forgive us, Lord.

Hear our prayer.  Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

Forgive us for having rebelled against your love in every way.  Create in us clean hearts through the power of your Holy Spirit, and bind us to you forever more.  Free us from the shackles of ourselves, from the bonds we make out of our desire to be you.  Free us from the power of sin and death that we might be joyfully obedient to you in all that we say and do.

Hear our prayer.  Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

You have called us to you through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son.  Open our ears and give us the eyes to see you, so that we might share your story of grace and forgiveness with the world.  Let your great goodness bind our wandering hearts to you, in the name of Jesus, who was and is the Christ, and who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.  Amen.

Collect

To you, O Lord, we do lift up our souls,
We ask forgiveness for our sins
Lead us in your truth, and teach us your paths,
Let us be still to know Your will,
Give us Your heart to step out in faith,
Embracing the covenant vow you did make
Glory to God, rainbows shine bright,
Reminding us to fear not,
For our loving Lord draws near.    

Prayers of the People

Dear God, maker and redeemer, we lift up this prayer of the people
For we know you hear us, even when we don’t always sense your presence.

Lord, give us courage, Lord, give us strength,
During times of challenge to embrace true life
Make us like Jesus, who taught us to pray,
God is our maker, proclaim this today!

I believe, so help my unbelief.  (Mark 9:25)

The world’s peoples hunger for more than just food,
We all need forgiveness from self-centered rule,
Help leaders be humble, with hearts for their people.

I believe, so help my unbelief.

Many churches they dwindle
While populations explode,
Too many turn inward yet yearn for a friend,
Help us to hear them and call out in Christ’s name.

I believe, so help my unbelief.

Like tall trees that bend in the wind,
We lean on Jesus, our Savior and friend,
Trusting he’ll help us from our fears within,
Finding true life built on love, prayers and faith.

I believe, so help my unbelief.

Help us remember, Lord, your covenant prayer
Looking to rainbows above us we share
Faith in Lord Jesus when flood waters rise,
Shield us with courage and the grace of your dove.

I believe, so help my unbelief.

Leader / Response:
Strong is the love embracing us,
And faithful our God, from morning to night.