Prayers of approach and confession
Loving God
Our souls sing out in worship
And all of creation bursts forth with praise!
For you look with compassion on all who suffer.
You shed tears of sorrow with those in grief.
You reach down into the dark pit of hopelessness.
You kneel in the dust to lift up the humble
and shoulder the burdens of those who are bowed down and crushed.
Great and mighty is our God, who meets us in weakness
Sure and strong is our God, who meets us in our fear.
Glory be to Jesus who stands shoulder to shoulder with those who are in pain,
who opened his arms wide on the cross to hold all the hurts of the world.
God of mercy, forgive us:
If our words and actions have injured others.
God of mercy, forgive us:
If our silence and inaction have injured others.
God of mercy, forgive us:
If there have been times when we have kept our distance from those who suffer.
God of mercy, forgive us:
If we have spoken hollow words to those in pain, in order to comfort ourselves.
God of mercy, forgive us:
If we have failed to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with you.
God of mercy, forgive us and renew us.
Use our mistakes and our brokenness.
And help us to live in each moment and in every circumstance
Lives of gratitude and love. Amen.
