These unison confessional prayers were created to accompany the sermon series “Finding God in the Flames: Campfire Stories from the Bible.” You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, with credit. When printing these liturgies, please use the following credit line: “Prayer by Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett.”
Week 1: “Tongues of Fire”
Blazing God, we confess it is hard to keep up with you.
You barrel ahead while we hold back.
You pour out your power while we store it up.
You are reckless while we count costs.
You burn bright while we hide our light.
Anoint us again with the power of your presence,
and show us how to soar.
We pray all this with the confidence of your children.
Amen. (moment of silent reflection)
Week 2: “The Burning Bush”
Creator God, we confess
that we have tried to make you small:
to put you in our pockets,
and explain your wildness away.
Forgive our domestication, Lord,
and teach us to look for you
in unexpected places.
Give to us a sense of wonder,
curiosity, and awe.
In your holy name, we pray.
Amen. (moment of silent reflection)
Week 3: “Eternal Flame”
Holy God, we confess to faith
that wavers in its dedication.
We try to be your followers,
yet we are distracted and waylaid.
We do not do what we commit to doing.
We do not love who we commit to loving.
We do not believe in what we commit to believing.
Restore in us the steady flame of faith,
to a spirit that does not falter day in and day out.
We pray this in your saving name.
Amen. (moment of silent reflection)
Week 4: “Denial by Firelight”
Jesus Christ, friend and Savior,
we confess to denying you
in thought, word, and deed.
We act as if we have not heard your commands,
your calling, or even your name.
Lord, forgive us for our weakness,
our fear, and our daily denials.
Give us the courage to bear your strong name,
to be the Christians you would have us be,
wherever we go.
In your holy name we pray.
Amen. (moment of silent reflection)
Week 5: “The Fiery Furnace”
Gracious God, ruler of all,
we confess we are too willing
to look the other way
when evil rears its head.
We do not want to stand up
to the tyrants of this world.
We do not want to put our own safety on the line
or to make too big a scene.
And so in our desire to creep by unnoticed,
we harm our neighbors
and fail to give glory to you.
Strengthen us, Lord,
that in ways small and large,
we might stand for your decrees
of justice, truth, and love.
In the name of Christ we pray.
Amen. (moment of silent reflection)
Week 6: “Campfire on the Beach”
Loving Christ,
you are all we need,
yet we do not think to ask.
You overflow with mercy and forgiveness,
abundantly nourish us with love,
make neighbors of strangers,
and have the power to redeem
even the worst parts of our lives.
Yet we hold back,
as if the promises are not really for us,
as if all these miracles were meant for someone else.
Help us to trust you, Lord Jesus,
to reach for you first,
you who never forsakes us.
We pray in your saving name.
Amen. (moment of silent reflection)
Deep Well Worship 