Tomorrow, we collect ourselves and begin our work for humanity afresh. Tonight, let us confess our shortcomings and pray* for a better world.
Most holy and merciful God, we confess to you and to one another that we have sinned in our thoughts, words and actions. We have sinned by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart, mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others as we have been forgiven. We have been deaf to your call to serve one another as we have been served. We have been selfish and proud. We have grieved your Holy Spirit.
Have mercy on us.
We confess our past unfaithfulness: our hypocrisy, impatience, and lack of gratitude for all that we have.
Have mercy on us.
We confess our self-indulgence and our exploitation of your children.
Have mercy on us.
We confess our love of material goods, our envy of those more fortunate than us, and our frustration at not getting what we want.
Have mercy on us.
We confess our dishonesty and manipulations in daily life and work.
Have mercy on us.
We confess our negligence, and our failure to live the life we profess.
Have mercy on us.
We confess our inability to empathize with the sufferings of others and our rush to judge them.
Have mercy on us.
Accept our repentance for the wrongs we have done, for our blindness to human need, and for our indifference to injustice and cruelty.
Have mercy on us.
For our false judgments, uncharitable thoughts, prejudice against our neighbors and contempt for those who are different.
Have mercy on us.
For our waste and pollution of your creation and our lack of concern for those who will follow us.
Have mercy on us.
Stand guard over those who suffer degradation, humiliation, extreme pain, deprivation, and all manner of abuse and mistreatment.
Let them know they are not forgotten.
Grant freedom to those who are accused unfairly, and justice to those who have committed offense.
Let them know that there is an end to their odyssey.
Bring peace to the hearts of the violent, and grace to the enemy.
Let them loose the strings of hatred that keep them bound.
Forgive those who commit acts of terrorism.
Straighten their souls, and enable them to live in peace.
Forgive those who carry out inhumane policies.
Redeem them, and make whole their hearts.
Forgive those create policies of horror and dehumanization.
Make them see the consequences of their actions, and grant them the power to repent of their sin.
Forgive those who legislate without compassion or in fear to stand up for what is right.
Give them the strength and the basic humanity to go against the grain.
O Merciful One, we know that there is no one beyond the scope of your redemption, and for that we are deeply grateful. Give us what we need to bring healing to the world and to stand together with the suffering. Strengthen us for the long haul, and grant us the vision of a peaceful and reconciled world to draw us ever onward. Look upon us all with grace and mercy and restore us to the image of your self-giving love.
Update [2006-9-28 20:46:5 by pastordan]: Neglected to mention that the first part of this litany is adapted from the Ash Wednesday liturgy of the Catholic church.
Update [2006-9-28 21:14:5 by pastordan]: A programming note: I will be away at a wedding Sunday night. If anyone feels moved to post a thread in my absence, I'd appreciate it.