Approach and confession prayer 13 February 2022

Lord God

we come to worship you today

our hearts filled with many emotions and feelings today

we come because we have decided to follow Jesus, you Son

and want to know more of the Way he calls us on

we come to hear your Word to us today

to bring our joy and sorrow

our longing and despair

our love and our pain

and lay them all at the throne of grace

Graceful God

may our trust in you deepen

may we be as trees planted near water

whether in heat or drought

may we always be green

always be fruitful

always be a blessing to this world

Blessing Christ

as you offer blessings

you also bring warnings to us

may we not be cursed because of our failings

we pray

where we have held tight to what we have

as individuals and as a community of faith

forgive us

in your great mercy, Jesus

forgive us

where we have been well fed

but failed to ensure our neighbour has enough to eat

forgive us

in your great mercy, Jesus

forgive us

where we have relied on what we have, rather than in God

forgive us

in your great mercy, Jesus

forgive us

Jesus, God the Son

God the Father

God the Spirit

may your forgiveness set us free

to be the people you call us to be

may our worship be pleasing and acceptable in your sight

this is our prayer

Amen