Power Grab?
Power Grab?
What if we grabbed God, embraced Him and His ways, rather than our impulse to grab power?
In our desire to live alive in healthy, healing relationships between men and women, consider this.
What if we grabbed God, embraced Him and His ways, rather than our impulse to grab power?
Somewhere in my journey to understand reconciliation between men and women I came across this prayer.
I’m struck by its admission that we haven’t gotten it right.
That we need God. Maybe more, probably more, than we like to think or admit.
And forgiveness is central for all of us.
In the coming weeks, we’ll tease out some of the lines of this prayer.
But for now, find a quiet, unhurried space. Perhaps pray this prayer daily. Meditating on each line. Asking God to help you see and understand what it’s offering.
Litany of Reconciliation (*adapted from the original)
Let us turn to God and ask His forgiveness because we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
For thinking too little about who You are and our need for You: Father, forgive us.
For the hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class, religion from religion: Father, forgive us.
For the covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not our own: Father forgive us.
For our greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste our earth: Father forgive us.
For our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, and the refugee: Father, forgive us.
For lacking to understand the pain of others: Father, forgive us.
For being so full of ourselves and our own wants that we envy the welfare and happiness of others: Father, forgive us.
For our lust which dishonors the bodies of men, women, and children: Father forgive us.
For our pride which leads to trust in ourselves and not in You: Father, forgive us.
For the absence of peace among us: Father, forgive us.
For our lack of love, for You, our neighbor, and ourself: Father, forgive us.
Father, help us to be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another just as You have forgiven us in Christ.
For the sake and glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.
*[For the original prayer, more information and history on the litany, and Coventry Cathedral’s destruction during the Blitz in World War II, visit https://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/reconciliation/reconciliation-ministry/litany-of-reconciliation]
