A Concord Pastor Comments: Monday Morning Offering

Coffee in the Morning by George Mendoza

On most days of Lent, we'll turn to the Psalms as our source for prayer but on Monday's, to the regular Morning Offering and on Saturdays, to a Marian litany...

Good morning, good God!

Sometimes I forget, Lord...

Sometimes I forget that people along my path
are as fragile as I can sometimes be
- and there are times when I can be very fragile,
vulnerable...

When I look honestly to my past
I remember those who have been hurt or saddened
by my haste, my selfishness, my carelessness,
my pride, my anger, my resentment, my sins...

Often, I didn't intended any harm
but my neglect and self-interest
bruised and burdened others nonetheless...

So, I offer you this Lenten morning, Lord,
the names and hearts of those whom I have hurt and offended...

(Take some time to remember and name those people,
perhaps writing out their names
and, certainly, lifting them up to the Lord in prayer...)

If there are ways for me to make amends, Lord,
show me how and give me the courage
to do what I need to do…

Give me a sensitive and forgiving heart, Lord
especially when my heart is stiff with hurt and anger...

Help me remember how much, how often,
how fully, how freely you forgive me...

If the times and ways for making peace have passed me by,
hear my prayer for those whom I have hurt
and find a way, Lord, to bring them healing
now beyond my reach...

Open my eyes and ears, my mind and heart
to those around me now
and make me more aware of their presence
and how my life touches theirs...

Nudge me, Lord, and give me the courage
to take the first step towards making peace
in my family, my neighborhood, at work and at school...

And give me the grace and courage I need, Lord,
to make peace between me and you...

Make me mindful, Lord,
of those whose paths cross mine today
and make me as gentle with them
as I would have them be with me...

Such is my prayer this morning, Lord
this night, this evening and all this week...

Amen.