In response to the Word let us enter into a time of prayer, confessing our sins and praising God for all He has done through his Son, Jesus Christ. Let us sing together “Thank you Lord.”

///Thank you Lord/// I just want to thank you Lord.

///Been so good/// I just want to thank you Lord.

Thank you Lord – you have been so good to us! We give you all thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. Thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, the beauty of this earth, the wonder of life, and the mystery of love. Above all, thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

Merciful God, we truly seek to live in peace with one another, so we come before you confessing our sins. Let us pray together:

We confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us Lord.

[Ears] Almighty God, let these ears hear what the Spirit is saying to your Church. Guard us from hearing language, lies, and deceptions that are hurtful and harmful. Open our ears that we might hear your Word, even in the least expected places, and respond in obedience.

Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

[Eyes] Lord Jesus, you make the lame walk and give sight to the blind; open our eyes to see your truth and rejoice in your light. Guard us against any images or visions that denigrate or degrade your good creation. Keep us from flirting with sin, from peeking at perversion, and from glancing at passing fancies. Open our eyes that we might see the true light and beauty of your love and grace.

Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

[Mouth] Word of God, you have told us that if we fail to give you praise, even the rocks will cry out. May our lips be quick to pray and praise and slow to speak; may our tongues be wary of speaking ill of anyone; may our voices be used to encourage, to build up, and to serve you. Fill our mouths with speech and words that edify believers and glorify you.

Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

[Body] Great Healer, you make the lame walk, and free the oppressed. Assist us in seeing injustice, oppression, and human suffering in our homes, in our places of work, in our communities, and across the world. Forgive us for those ways we have failed to reach out to the stranger, the poor, the last, and the least. Use our bodies, that we may walk plainly in the way that leads to life.

Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

[Hands] Risen Lord, you appeared to your disciples who believed you to be dead, and you showed them your hands and your feet saying: “It is I.” Take these hands and mark them as yours. May they be eager to serve others and hesitant to be raised against another person. Make them free of violence and mischief. Keep them from idle curiosities and from touching things or persons in a way that is unfitting. Help them to be godly hands that are always ready to do your bidding.

Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

[Feet] Heavenly Father, with your holy prophets of old we proclaim “blessed are the feet of the one who brings good news.” Bless these feet before you now that they may carry us into the world with the same Good News of Christ’s mercy, forgiveness and love. May these feet avoid the places and company that would take them from your straight and narrow way. Help us to walk in the footsteps of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world.

Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

[Heart] Lord Christ, you have called us to “love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.” Take our hearts and make them yours again this day. By the power and presence of your Holy Spirit cast out all fear and all unclean spirits; fill our hearts anew with love and light so that we might truly be a living sanctuary for your Holy Presence; a temple where your Holy Spirit lives and reigns every day.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit we pray. Amen.

As a forgiven and reconciled people let us offer one another signs of peace.

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.