Prayer of approach and confession

Life-giver: in these damp days
of winter blurring into spring,
awaken us gently.
Make us attentive to the quiet hope that stirs beneath the soil,
the first valiant spears of green from buried bulbs,
the slow return of morning birdsong,
uncertain at first, but building.

Let the light and warmth of your love
ease us open, like leaves unfurling.
Layer by layer we spread our lives before you:
our vulnerabilities, our secret, tender places
and all we have kept hidden.

In silence, we offer up all that we have done…
All that we have left undone…
All that we are…
We ask for your mercy and your forgiveness.

Redeemer, you make all things new.
We see your glory in the face of Jesus,
whose compassion lights up the world.
Grow our faith, deepen our love,
let us bask in and reflect your radiance,
let our lives shine.

Photo: Salisbury blooms in snow, by Ana Gobledale

Originally written for Transfiguration Sunday