Rev. Dr. Jean Hawxhurst, President, Churches Uniting in Christ
In the midst of the chaos of this unsettling and often jarring Lenten season, Holy God, we seek you. We, your children from the church spread across this region of your Creation, pray you will not hide your face from us. In unity we call upon you now, as we know you are near.
We thank you for your love, your patience, your faithfulness, and your peace. In our frustration with the world around us and our desire for justice, we confess with the psalmist that our thoughts are not your thoughts, and our ways are not your ways. For you are higher than our thoughts and our ways, and so we bow before you in humility. We believe we know the path forward, and at the same time, we know we are only able to see in part. So, we pray you might have mercy on our angry self-righteousness and be gentle with us in our striving.
At the same time, in our humility we pray that the words of generosity and truth your Spirit calls forth from our mouths will not return empty. We know this is our time to be bold in our representation of you and your Son. Though we are battle worn, we are ready and willing. So, we ask you to please use us to accomplish what you intend for your world. May your people unite in calling forth that which you wish to prosper. In the midst of the swirling confusion, use us to make your path clear and your ways obvious.
And, even as we seek your faith and desire to walk in your ways, we pray that you will bend our hearts toward forgiveness. May you have mercy and abundantly pardon both the wicked for their actions and the righteous for their condemnation. It is your face we seek, your path we wish to follow. Please do not hide from us, Blessed God, but use this Lenten journey to mold us into your people together. In the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.