A PRAYER FOR LENT 4 OT

Psalm 32

1 Blessed is the one

    whose transgressions are forgiven,

    whose sins are covered.

2 Blessed is the one

    whose sin the Lord does not count against them

    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent,

    my bones wasted away

    through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night

    your hand was heavy on me;

my strength was sapped

    as in the heat of summer.[b]

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you

    and did not cover up my iniquity.

I said, “I will confess

    my transgressions to the Lord.”

And you forgave

    the guilt of my sin.

They weigh on us Lord

Our sins

Trespasses

Debts

Sometimes we want to run away

Hide

Bury ourselves in a blanket

of shame

So many times we planned to

do but didn't

Made commitments to you

to neighbors and friends

family and church

We get busy

look to our own schedules

set our priorities

to fit our needs

and forget what we promised

Forgive us loving God

They weigh on us Lord

Our sins

Trespasses

Debts

We mouth the words

of commitment

Look at the homeless

the lonely and hurt

the elderly and lost

But other than an occasional

few dollars for a special offering

or donations to the local

Food pantry

It's mostly words not acts

Forgive us loving God

They weigh on us Lord

Our sins

Trespasses

Debts

We hurt the ones we love

Using them

ignoring them

Taking them for granted

hoping they don't notice

We are always selfish

wanting to meet our needs

so that our families and friends

become appendages

to decorate our lives

Forgive us loving God

They weigh on us Lord

Our sins

Trespasses

Debts

We retreat from

those we love

or want to love

Soothing our fears

before we are wounded

We fight those who

reach out to us

swatting away love extended

Oblivious to spouse and children

parents and friends

Forgive us loving God

Lift our burden of guilt

and free us from our shame

Grant us the courage

to serve your children

May we continually seek

Your forgiveness

so that we may be renewed

for life for you

and for others

Count not our sins against us

Cleanse our spirits and our souls

that we may be redeemed

to give you the glory

thanksgiving and honor

Amen