7/13 Sermon Recap:

• Pastor Suzanne talked about Romans 1 and the ways that Paul sets up a rhetorical trap for his listeners. He starts by talking about how terrible they are, but then quickly flips the switch to say, “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else.”
• Pastor Suzanne reminded us that we all have sin and mess and things that make us need God’s help. 

Prayer of Confession

Creator God,

I am quick to run from my conscience and to run from you.

Forgive me for making you into a rageful monster 

instead of a loving parent who longs to see me return to my senses.

Help me to trust in your kindness and patience, so that I can face my own brokenness with courage, rather than minimizing it or looking away.

For the ways I trust in myself instead of you, have mercy on me.

For my impulse to seek life outside of you, have mercy on me.

For my instincts to put myself first and use others for my own desires, 

have mercy on me.

For the ways I seek security in possessions and power have mercy on me.

God, show me the ways I have turned from your ways, 

and in doing so harmed myself and others.

Shine your light on my anger, lust, greed, envy, divisiveness, and dismissiveness.

In your mercy, illuminate the lies and self-protection that I use to justify my behavior.

Forgive me for the ways I am quick to point out the faults of others 

and ignore my own actions.

Forgive me for the ways I arrogantly take your place on the seat of judgment, pretending I am capable of being impartial and seeing clearly.

Forgive me for thinking I can hold others accountable 

while I turn a blind eye to my own heart.

God of grace, as you come to us in mercy, we repent in spirit and in truth.

We admit our sin and gratefully receive your forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

Who did not turn his back on us but pursued us in love 

that we might know healing and life.

Grant us now we pray, the grace to die daily to sin 

and to rise daily to new life in Christ. Amen.