Seven Lively Lenten Virtues
The Lenten Sermon Series is on "Seven Lively Virtues". Each week we share here a prayer to use during your Lenten devotions:
Confession
Prayer of Confession
Loving God,
I confess that I have not loved you with my whole heart.
I have not loved my neighbor as myself;
instead, I have hurt others with my words and actions.
I am haunted by guilt as I recall my offenses.
The stains that remain in my heart and mind separate me from You.
Forgive me, O God.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, so that I will have room in my heart and life for You.
The Promise of Pardon
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
Forgiveness
Prayer of Forgiveness
How often I have prayed “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” and have not stopped to understand what I was asking.
I believe that by your grace you forgive me, no matter what I have done. But what if you forgave me only to the extent that I have forgiven others?
But, Lord, there are people who have hurt me and when I remember, the hurt and anger return. It just seems too hard to let it go. I can’t do it on my own.
Help me, Lord.
Give me the strength and courage to forgive others and to let go of the anger and pain that keep me from being all that you created me to be. Set me free from the negative feelings that keep me from loving others, from loving you, and even from loving myself.
I know that I have hurt others, too. Give me the strength and courage to ask them for forgiveness.
Today, this is my prayer, O Lord: “Let me forgive those who trespass against me as you have forgiven me.”
In the name of Jesus, who died to set all of us free.
Amen
Attention
Prayer for Paying Attention to God
You call me away from my busy daily life to spend time with you. But, how can I when there is so much to be done. Even in my sleep I still think and dream about the multitude of concerns that surround me.
Help me to focus on you and love you even in the midst of such hectic activity.
Even more, help me to find time in solitude with you, to trust your quiet rhythm to calm me back to center.
In times of prayerful solitude, fill me with the energy to find holiness in the midst of my work and in the center of my life.
Come with me as I return to the crowded and noisy crossroads of life.
Amen
Holy One,
Loving God,
