Prayer for Openness

Jesus, you open us

to new life, new hope, new possibilities.

You conquer the way we

close up, close down, and close in.

Jesus, lover of us all,

open our hearts to feel your compassion

for people we would rather walk by;

open our ears to hear the cries of the suffering

deep inside where we cannot fail to be moved;

open our understanding to new ways of living

that do not diminish anyone;

open our eyes to see a vision of this world

as you would have it.
Open us to change.
Show us the places where we can do better
and need to right the wrongs we’ve done.
Let this congregation be a place of inclusiveness,
welcoming those that others reject
and reaching out to spread the good news of Jesus
wherever it is most needed.
May these prayerful words on our lips

become the meditations of our hearts

as we live in ways that are acceptable to you

O God, our Rock and our Redeemer. 

New Book Coming Soon!

Carol Penner has written a devotional book for Lent that explores the challenges of repentance and forgiveness. Forty reflections and prayers to deepen your walk with God as you prepare for Easter.  

You can order it here!

About Carol Penner

I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.

I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com

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  • Worship resources in a Mennonite voice for ears of all kinds

    Are you looking for resources for a Christian service? Feel free to use or adapt my prayers, poems and litanies. They are written in a Mennonite voice, for ears of all kinds. 

    Feel free to use these orally in a worship service (in-person or broadcasted)  , but if they are printed in a bulletin please use the following credit

    “Copyright Carol Penner  www.leadinginworship.com.”

    Contact me for use in newsletters or printed resources, I am happy to grant permission but I would like to know how my writing is being used.  You can reach me at carol@leadinginworship.com.