Opening Prayers/Prayers of Adoration on Lent

Almighty and merciful God, the fountain of all goodness, who knows the thoughts of our hearts:

We confess that we have sinned against you.

Wash us, we implore you, from the stains of our past sins.

Give us grace and power to put away all offenses,

Being delivered from the bondage of sin, may we bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, and at last enter into your promised joy;

Through the mercy of your blessed One, Jesus Christ.

Amen.    

Alcuin, adapted.

Wilderness Prayer 

 Inspired by Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14-16

God of the Ages

Our Deliverer and Provider

We bow in humility before your grace

You feed us with the divine

Your word

Your body

You quench our thirst with living water

A stream in the desert

You guide our feet through snares and snakes

You free us from slavery to sin and self and shame and death

You lead us the long way to holiness and home

Grow in us wholehearted allegiance

that our blessing and devotion may never waver

that we may always recognize and trust your desire to do us good

Amen

Wilderness Prayer © 2017 by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com

No Record of Wrongs, an opening prayer

 Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:5 NRSV

Love keeps no record of wrongs.

We keep to-do lists so we don’t forget

We check them twice

We carry them in our pockets

Holding on to the pain

The disappointment

The failure

Re-viewing the wrong

Point by point by point

Plotting revenge on ourselves and others

We carry them

They keep us cross

Wounded and bleeding

Divided and dying

You take our lists

Crossing out

Crossing off

Nailing them to your tree

Burying them in a blaze of love

So we may rise free

You keep no record of wrong

Instead, you write our names on your palm

A life list on your lifeline

A love list by your scar

Hallelujah

Time of silent prayer

No Record of Wrongs © 2014 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com