Thanks for answering December 28, 2007
Posted by Zack in Missouri , trackbackThanks for all the comments and answers to my question in my previous post, everyone!
Here’s another data point that led me to ask the question. On the Sunday before Christmas, Elizabeth and I attended a small country church in rural Southwest Missouri. To conjure some stereotypes: The congregation was undoubtedly mostly Republican, given the solidly conservative demographics of the area and the sample of bumper stickers in the small parking lot; the pastor was recently an Army chaplain. And now to dash some stereotypes, here was the “Prayer of Confession” that the congregation read in unison:
Holy God, every Advent, a voice calls us to walk the straight path. With clear and strong words, John demands we heed the call to live lives which give evidence of our repentance. Holy God, with your gentle gaze, help us look deep within. Loving God, help us examine our life styles: our comfort with ease while others struggle for bread, our tendency to blame the victim for being poor or homeless, our perpetual busyness which keeps us from taking time to see or listen to the hurts. Forgive us when we give only what we no longer want. Forgive us for needing a tax deduction to encourage our giving. Holy God, help us to see you as our Lord and King. Amen.
Comments»
no comments yet - be the first?