Confession Based on Luke 9

Leader:

God, you gave us your spirit

And you told us to go and heal a hurting world,

But the magnitude of our own needs overcame us

And your spirit felt like a tiny, insignificant flame.

People:  Rekindle your flame in us, God.

Leader:

God, you gave us your strength

And you told us to spread your love,

But our own desires to be great overcome us,

And in our pride and arrogance, we tried to snuff

The flame of your love.

People:  Rekindle your flame in us, God.

Leader:

God, you gave us your grace

And we argued about who deserved it more.

You gave us grace—our cups overflowed—

But in our anxiety to grasp what is ours

We complained of all we lacked and begged for more.

People:  Rekindle your flame in us, God.

Leader:

Jesus, filled with our own importance and the significance of our calling,

We sought justice for our enemies and shunned the simplicity of your love.

Then you opened your arms to children, and reminded us of our calling:

To love fully, to welcome everyone in your name, to heal the brokenhearted.

People:  Rekindle your flame in us, God.

--klc