St. Paul wrote in the letter to the Romans: “For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.”
You will hear these words read at our worship on Sunday. Perhaps the preacher will mention them…in the meantime, ponder them for yourself.
Let us pray:
Forgive us, Almighty God, For camping on the periphery and living on the border, Never facing the central sins of our lives. Made for Thy truth, we are deceptive and untruthful. Blessed with intelligence, we seek Thy wisdom sporadically. Capable of deep caring, we want to be congratulated and cared for. Created for fellowship, we are too busy to pray. Endowed with plenty, we hoard the best part. Intended for the deep, we court the trivial. These circles of folly surround our sin of rebellion against Thee;
What we were made to enjoy in abundance, we reject with pride. Pardon us we pray. Sin confessed looses its grip on us. Therefore strengthen us in Thy mighty hand and center us through faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
[E. Lee Phillips, Found in Volume IV, For All the Saints]
The Rev. Ellen Meissgeier