Labor Day!

Prayer of Confession for Labor Day Sunday:
by: Ryan M. Rubin, Yale Divinity School, M.Div. candidate

Merciful God, remembering the promise that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and leaning on your infinite grace given to us through Christ Jesus, we confess our sins to you.

We have not loved you with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, or all our strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

For the times we deny our sinfulness and expend our strength in justifying ourselves — we seek your mercy.

For the times we seek unjust gain by doing in private what we would not do in public — we seek your mercy.

For the times we work for personal advancement without regard for the well-being of our communities and the world — we seek your mercy.

For the times we place such importance on work and material gain that we trample on others who stand in our way — we seek your mercy.

For the times we prefer ignorance over knowledge which compels us to help our sisters and brothers who are harmed by our work or our consumption — we seek your mercy.

For the times when we harden our hearts against those who are exploited, rather than at their exploitation — we seek your mercy.

For the times we know that it is wrong to do these things, and seek to do them anyway — we seek your mercy.

For the times we allow -- through our action or inaction -- economic systems that distribute vast wealth to some at great cost to others — we seek your mercy.

For the times,when in despair or apathy, we have given up on you and the “new creation” you have promised to our world and to our workplaces in Christ Jesus – we seek your mercy.

All of God’s people, hear the good news: in Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Loving God, we thank you that you hear our confessions. We pray that you would strengthen and encourage us for these struggles when they arise again. And we pray that the Holy Spirit would lead us into true repentance and newness of life. Amen.

Welcome to our newest member of the PCUSA Blog Ring, Just 3 Things. As the name implies this blog is about just 3 things, Faith, Life and Birds. I hope to post three times weekly, once about each topic. Your comments are welcomed! This blog like my life is a work in progress.

Just 3 Things (did you catch the Trinity reference?) is written by Rev. Vernon Gauthier of First United Presbyterian Church of Newville, Pennsylvania.