Approach and confession prayer 3 February 2019

Ancient of days

there is none like you

your majesty reaches to the highest heavens

your love, to the deepest ocean

your presence, to the ends of the earth

for your breath is in all living things

from the smallest amoeba to the largest whale

from the first single-celled organisms to the mighty redwoods

nothing, nothing lives without the breath of God within it

though we were not here

though humans never worshipped

trees and fields would clap their hands in praise

for their creator and sustainer

Sustainer

with us since before we were born

you gave us life

knew us while we were still in our mothers’ wombs

called us into being

and still you call us, through the Redeemer Christ

who are we to be chosen for your work?

We who come, to offer our time this day in praise and adoration

bowing humbly at the one who came to us in Jesus

and still comes to us

by the Holy Spirit

filling our lives

filling this place

calling us more and more to be God’s people

God’s chosen people

in whom God delights

Delighting God

may we be your delight

remove all shame from us

deliver us from the wicked

both the wicked actions we commit in carelessness, fear, greed, selfishness, apathy

and the wicked deeds committed against us

that we may become blameless, righteous in your sight

our Maker, our Redeemer, our Sustainer

Amen