Friday, November 18, 2005
Preparing to Pray in Thanksgiving Worship
In preparation for Thanksgiving worship, we learn from Sharon Veltema of Unity Christian High School, who observes in this Thanksgiving chapel service that the most appropriate and meaningful first step in thanksgiving can be—perhaps counterintuitively—confession.
• Audio(mp3)/Transcript of interview with Sharon Veltema about this chapel
Excerpt from the service:
We come before you ... knowing that by our own efforts we are not worthy of your love. We know that we have sinned. And so ... we lay our hands with our palms down, (pause) as a symbol that we surrender all of these things into your arms of grace. We know that we are like little children at times – always wanting more, sometimes complaining or whining, never satisfied. Father, we are sorry.
Even on our very best days, when all that we do and say is in accordance with your word, we know that we are still stained by sin. And yet you love us. It is beyond our imagination how much you love each one of us. ...
And now Lord, we place our hands with our palms up again. (pause) We thank you for your incredible grace and forgiveness that you give so freely. We hold our hands open to receive your forgiveness. We thank you for filling us with your love so that we can share it with those around us. Thank you for making us right with you – for your purifying love, that enables us to call your Father. We open our hands to you to receive everything that your grace will give us – strength for our weaknesses, hope for our fears, forgiveness from our sins, and grace to forgive those who sin against us. Bless the world through us today. continued...
Earlier: Preparing to Pray 11/11