March 19, 2009

Here is today’s prayer:

O merciful God,
we confess that we have not acknowledged you
as the source of our successes, our substance, our selves.
We have been far more ready to complain when things go wrong
than to praise when all is well.
We have fed our bodies a rich diet while neglecting to feed our souls.
Power and wealth have assumed greater importance to us
than sensitivity and service.
We have allowed religious words and forms to substitute
for living encounters with the persons you have called us to love.
Forgive us, compassionate Redeemer,
and grant us the opportunity to start over again.
Keep us from repeating the mistakes of the past
or from new evils that could mislead or destroy.
In the name of Christ,
we offer our earnest prayers for pardon and deliverance. Amen.
-Lavon Baylor, U.S.A., 20th Cent., Alt. (BOW 490)

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.