Scripture: John 18:28-40

Sermon: “Bandits”

Bandits for download

The Prayer

We make mistakes Lord. We are wrong and in the wrong. We are sorry for such times. But remember, O Lord, when we are not wrong – when we speak for justice, do the best thing, speak truth instead of the easy lie. Remember, and do not hold our errors and sin against us.

And Lord, when we are not in the right, remind us of your steadfast loving kindness, your desire to forgive and redeem. Remind us, because it is hard to admit such things – we want to be strong and righteous. This desire gets in the way of being honest. Help us to practice admitting our errors by speaking to you about them. You are patient – more patient and forgiving than we are with ourselves. You hold us in your warm embrace and make it all right – make us all right.

We do not like to admit we are wrong or in the wrong to strangers, friends, family. We defend, deflect, deny, and denigrate those in opposition. We act as if we can always be right, even though we know this is an act. It is so hard for us to say: “we are sorry”, “I was wrong”, or “I apologize”. Our need to be right and strong creates hurt in our relationships. And then we do not know how to heal that hurt.

Lord, make it as easy as possible to confess to you – trusting in your love and forgiveness. Let our confession remove our guilt; make us right enough that we can admit our wrong to those around us. Ease our fear of being honest and so heal our relationships.

Amen