Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, "Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our church. Cheap grace means grace sold on the market like cheapjack's wares. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession."
Since this Sunday is Holy Communion Sunday at our church and thousands of others around the world, I thought that this quote from Bonhoeffer was quite appropriate.
As we prepare for worship this morning, let us confess our sins and seek repentance that we may night cheapen the grace that was purchased as so high a price.
Today's prayer - Gracious God, we admit that we have not always been an obedient church. We have failed to hear the cry of the needy. We have not always loved your children the way that we are called to love them. God, if we are honest with ourselves, we haven't always loved ourselves the way that you love us. This morning, we lay our character defects and sin before you. Grant us grace in today's communion, that we might be drawn closer to you, and then, empowered by your Holy Spirit, let us go forth from worship as bearers of your love and light. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Since this Sunday is Holy Communion Sunday at our church and thousands of others around the world, I thought that this quote from Bonhoeffer was quite appropriate.
As we prepare for worship this morning, let us confess our sins and seek repentance that we may night cheapen the grace that was purchased as so high a price.
Today's prayer - Gracious God, we admit that we have not always been an obedient church. We have failed to hear the cry of the needy. We have not always loved your children the way that we are called to love them. God, if we are honest with ourselves, we haven't always loved ourselves the way that you love us. This morning, we lay our character defects and sin before you. Grant us grace in today's communion, that we might be drawn closer to you, and then, empowered by your Holy Spirit, let us go forth from worship as bearers of your love and light. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
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