Prayer of Confession

We’ve been praying this confession at church recently, and I’ve really liked it…perhaps because it’s so true in my life. So I pray this confession:

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.

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

Amen.