These unison confessional prayers were created to accompany the Lenten sermon series “The Lord’s Prayer.” 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
Lord, we are sorry
for all the times our prayers
were mere lip service.
We are sorry that we have not trusted you.
We are sorry we have tried to tame you
into something we can understand and control.
We are sorry you have been the last thing on our minds,
and the last voice we have listened to.
Give us strength to turn prayer to action, Lord.
Turn us from sin to solace, and from solace to a new way of living.
Make us your true disciples, today and always.
Amen.
Week 2
Lord, we are sorry
for all the times our prayers
were mere lip service.
We are sorry that our allegiances have been given
to every plan and purpose but your own.
We are sorry that we have been content
to ignore injustice, as long as it stays far from our lives.
We are sorry that in our secret hearts
we would rather keep things as they are
than see your kingdom upend this world.
Give us strength to turn prayer to action, Lord.
Turn us from sin to solace, and from solace to a new way of living.
Make us your true disciples, today and always.
Amen.
Week 3
Lord, we are sorry
for all the times our prayers
were mere lip service.
We are sorry we have known your will and not done it.
We are sorry we have acted as if what happens on earth does not matter to you.
We are sorry we have made heaven feel far away to those around us.
Give us strength to turn prayer to action, Lord.
Turn us from sin to solace, and from solace to a new way of living.
Make us your true disciples, today and always.
Amen.
Week 4
Lord, we are sorry
for all the times our prayers
were mere lip service.
We are sorry we have grown comfortable in a world
where some have their pick of abundance while others go hungry.
We are sorry we have pretended we are self-sufficient and need nothing.
We are sorry we do not trust your promises.
Give us strength to turn prayer to action, Lord.
Turn us from sin to solace, and from solace to a new way of living.
Make us your true disciples, today and always.
Amen.
Week 5
Lord, we are sorry
for all the times our prayers
were mere lip service.
We are sorry that this world has so many shattered relationships.
We are sorry we glory in you forgiving us but refuse to forgive others.
We are sorry that we question whether you do forgive us.
Give us strength to turn prayer to action, Lord.
Turn us from sin to solace, and from solace to a new way of living.
Make us your true disciples, today and always.
Amen.
Week 6 (Palm Sunday)
Lord, we are sorry
for all the times our prayers
were mere lip service.
We are sorry that our faith is weak.
We are sorry that we shrink away from the hard work of discipleship.
We are sorry we do not trust you to carry us through.
Give us strength to turn prayer to action, Lord.
Turn us from sin to solace, and from solace to a new way of living.
Make us your true disciples, today and always.
Amen.
Week 7 (Easter)
Lord, we are sorry for all the times
our prayers and actions were empty.
Help us see today, not only that you are alive,
but that you live for us and for the world.
Wrench from us any despair or pride
that says “I don’t need you.”
Fill us with the kind of faith that gives you glory
in every ordinary moment of our lives.
Make us your true disciples, today and always.
Amen.
Deep Well Worship 