In you God we find our not only our comfort but you are the very source of life of which we depend on each and every day. We come with bowed head and humbled hearts in order to die to ourselves and be made new in your Holy Spirit. At least that is what we think we want. God, we confess this day that perhaps we do not really desire to be made new and walk in your ways because we have given our lives to the god of our ego. We confess that we seek for ways in which the church can serve us or feed us all the while forgetting that Jesus called the church into existence in order to serve and feed others. We build our relationship with you Holy God like we build relationships with our neighbor. That is often times, we think of you as just a really nice person who grants wishes if you whenever you feel inclined to do so. And when we think of you in this way we then think that being Christian is being a really nice citizen who does nice things for people when we feel inclined to do so. We confess that we may not have any real clue on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. We confess that even if we discover what being a disciple means we may not choose to live into that life of self sacrifice and community. We confess that we talk the religious talk, do some pious things and all the while we put our trust, our faith, in other things. So if there is anything that may happen today may we be convicted to see where our hearts reside and if we are willing to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

We pray this day not just on our own behalf but for the concerns and thanksgivings for the world. Where there is pain let there be Grace; where there is suffering bring serenity; for those afraid help them be brave; where there is misery bring expectancy; where there is captivity bring liberation; where there is despair let there be hope. For surely if there is any Good in this world – let that Good shine through all of us so we might be embodiments of Love. We join the great cloud of witnesses, past and present as we pray Our Father...