God's Word for today

Friday 12 June 2009

Prayer of confession for ministers

This prayer reminds me of what I have been called by God to do, and how I often fall short in fulfilling that call...

You asked for my hands
that you might use them for your purpose.
I gave them for a moment, then withdrew them
for the work was hard.

You asked for my mouth
to speak out against injustice.
I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused.

You asked for my eyes
to see the pain of poverty.
I closed them for I did not want to see.

You asked for my life
that you might work through me.
I gave a small part that I might not get too involved.

Lord forgive my calculated efforts to serve you
only when it is convenient for me to do so,
only in those places where it is safe to do so,
and only with those who make it easy to do so.

Lord, forgive me,
renew me,
send me out
as a usable instrument
that I might take seriously
the meaning of your cross.

- Jo Seremane, South Africa. From A Forgiving Heart, Lyn Klug, ed. p. 142

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