Confession, Collects and Prayers: March 4, 2012 - Second Sunday in Lent

Prayer of Confession

As we walk deeper into the wilderness of the Lenten season, we gather again this morning and begin by confessing aloud the sins that have kept us from one another and from God.  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:  We confess that our hearts have failed you, Lord, and have become more like stone than like flesh.  

We have lost the will and the way to be obedient to you.
 
Like Abraham we fall on our faces, but we confess we have no clue what it means to be blameless before you.  
More often than not, we do not seem to care.  
Forgive us, God of Abraham, for our disobedience.

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

Son of God, we have lost our way before you.  We are held captive to the power of sin and death despite your good news proclaimed to us so often.  
Forgive us for not having heard the cries of the needy, for staying away from those who might make your call clearer to us in their hunger and thirst.  
Forgive us for having not broken into the jails and the hospitals with your word of freedom to the oppressed and to the sick.  
Forgive us, Lord Jesus Christ, for not knowing the way of your cross, and even worse, for willfully ignoring it.

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

Our hearts ache for your divine fire, Holy Spirit.  

Pour out your sanctifying grace upon us, make us clean with your purifying flames that we might be freed for joyful obedience.  

We are here because we so deeply long for you.  Forgive us all our sins and keep us in a right spirit.

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

We would be your people called to be a blessing to the world.  Hear these prayers, gracious and electing God, and rename each of us in the perfection of your salvation.  Forgive us all these things and prepare us to receive your glory.  In the name of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we pray.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

Oh Great and Gracious Lord,We thank you for being the guiding presence in our lives;

For making us part of your Holy plan.
We ask you to show us, as you showed our Father Abraham, how we can further your Kingdom here on earth.

Let us give thanks for your wisdom in seeing beyond our afflictions – our age, our physical condition, our boldness and fears – and using our open hearts to strengthen your presence among all your family.

Silence

Dear Lord, show us your way.

We ask, gracious Lord, that you teach us how to respect you, and through that respect, to follow your will and to praise your holy name. And teach us, O Lord, to set an example for those who follow us to you, including the children and our neighbors who watch how your love is made manifest in our lives each day.

Silence

Dear Lord, show us your way.

Show us, dear Lord, how to follow your law not only with our minds and bodies, but with our hearts and souls – obedience born of the righteousness of faith. Help us to accept what we cannot understand, knowing that your wisdom is so much greater than ours.
Help us to gladly give our lives totally to you.
In his holy name, we ask you to guide us, use us, lead us.

Silence

Dear Lord, show us your way.

We ask all these things in Christ’s Name, Amen.