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The Big Mess: A Prayer of Repentance

November 10, 2009

Even in the small schemes of our lives

there are times when we come upon the big mess

which we may or may not have caused.

The challenges given, the first shots fired,

volleys of words thrown like grenades,

the bodies prone, the revenge promised…

war even on the tiniest scale wreaks havoc

and rejects consolation through the years.

The fog of war never completely lifts

but the casualties are completely clear.

Trust and innocence blown to smithereens,

hope sidelined in the trenches

with bitterness like a rat

Wedding Blessing

November 10, 2009

So much in love

this happy couple can’t stop smiling,

their eyes drawn into each other’s joy.

The pictures will capture this moment

but only you can capture this spirit

embedding it in the long-term memory

hardwiring it as the default setting

making it a part of their life’s blood.

Grant them love that is long in forgiveness

and wide in laughter.

Prayer for the Teenage Years

November 10, 2009

God who gave me children,

give me wisdom in the in-between.

Between the child and the adult,

between the clinging and the pushing away,

between the I love you and the I hate you,

between the we and the me,

between the innocence and the maturity,

between the fearfulness and the confidence,

between the needing and the not needing,

between the staying together and the going away,

Waiting for Medical Test Results

November 10, 2009

On the day fear parks itself in my throat;

when the mountain to be climbed

is the next twenty-four hours

and my ears already echo

with the news I do not want to hear;

as my stomach plummets

and fear pick-axes my heart;

while my mind careens

from possibility to possibility;

as the edges of my known world crumble,

Prayer for Secret Sins

November 10, 2009

God, this is about the secret sins

which we have managed, we think,

to conceal from others

but which are an open book to you.

You see the sly dishonesty, the creeping pride,

the selfish preoccupation,

the lustful thoughts, the abusive actions,

the crooked business dealings, the tight-fisted stinginess

and the fear of facing consequences we deserve.

We have prepared a bitter table and sit alone.

The unseen guest at every table surprises us

True Currency Offering Prayer

November 10, 2009

We are in touch with our money.

We know the cool weight of loonies and toonies

and the crisp lightness of dollar bills.

Our smooth bank cards tell us what we have or owe.

We are in touch with our money!

Today we let go of this money,

we place it in the offering plate,

freeing it to do the work of the church in your name.

We remember that you put money into our hands.

You are the Great Provider,

the Giver of all Gifts,

your love the only true currency.

Accept these gifts in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Prayer for Social Graces

November 10, 2009

God of social graces

be with me in this gathering today.

In every interaction, stand by my side.

When words are needed, help me find them.

In the give and take of conversation,

help me to give carefully

and take freely.

When others choose to put me down,

be with me in humiliation’s slow burn.

Keep me from returning evil for evil

First Love Prayer

November 10, 2009

In the sweet light blossom of first love,

God of new beginnings, be near us.

Let us discover wonder and beauty

in the smile of another.

Let us feel ourselves embraced

in arms and open minds.

Let us be giddy with happiness

at the world’s freshness.

In the wide swoop of love’s new dance

you are the ground beneath our feet,

the air we breathe together

Pastor’s Prayer: What I Need from You

November 10, 2009

To do my job as pastor here, here is what I need from You:

wisdom to interpret scripture,

courage to speak the truth,

eloquence to touch frozen hearts,

patience when people won’t listen,

kindness for those who irk me,

strength to shoulder hard stories,

discretion to know when to speak,

self-control to remain silent,

hope in the face of hopelessness.

Above all these give me love for all your people

and a passionate longing for your presence.

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

The Big Mess: A Prayer of Repentance

Wedding Blessing

Prayer for the Teenage Years

Waiting for Medical Test Results

Prayer for Secret Sins

True Currency Offering Prayer

Prayer for Social Graces

First Love Prayer

Pastor’s Prayer: What I Need from You

About Carol Penner

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