Confession: Following Other Paths

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Epiphany 5A.  It comes from the Ministry Matters website.

Prayer of Confession
(inspired by Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37)

Loving God,
you call us into community,
teach us your ways,
and bless us with abundant life.

Yet we turn aside to follow other paths:
we take the easy way out,
listening to the world’s call
rather than your call to commitment;
we quarrel with one another,
letting differences divide us;
we cherish our resentments,
shutting off our hearts
from forgiveness and reconciliation;
we cling to petty jealousies,
feeling we deserve more than we have.

Forgive us when we wander from your love.
Draw us into community with each other,
and feed us with the milk of your grace,
that we may grow in faithfulness
and work together in peace. Amen.

Words of Assurance
(inspired by Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9)

God is at work, nurturing our growth
and showing us the ways that lead to life.
God is at work, reconciling us to one another
and teaching us the paths of love.
God is at work, hearing our confessions,
forgiving our disobedience,
and blessing us in love.
Thanks be to God!

~ posted on the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/