February 27, 2009

Here is today’s prayer:

O holy and merciful God,
we confess that we have not always taken upon ourselves the yoke of obedience,
nor been willing to seek and to do your perfect will.
We have not loved you with all our heart and mind and soul and strength,
neither have we loved our neighbors as ourselves.
You have called to us in the need of our sisters and brothers, and we have passed unheeding on our way.
In the pride of our hearts, and our unwillingness to repent, we have turned away from the cross of Christ, and have grieved your Holy Spirit.
-Wesleyan Methodist Conference, England, 20th Cent., alt. (BOW 476a)

This prayer series is part of my ongoing ministry as Pastor of Edom United Methodist Church. As such, these prayers are offered as both a reminder to pray and models of prayers, especially of confession, pardon, and repentance during this season of Lent. Therefore, they are a teaching element here on the internet that serves to reinforce lessons that are being taught in classes and sermons throughout the Lenten season. Therefore, as a one-time reproduction I am including the following notice:
Copyright © 1992 The United Methodist Publishing House
United Methodist congregations may reproduce for worship and educational purposes any item from The United Methodist Book of Worship for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson resource, provided that the copyright notice and acknowledgement is included in the reproduction.
Should you wish to use any of the prayers that are offered with this notice attached to it, please refer to the United Methodist Book of Worship for more information on rights and privileges associated with these copyrights.