Christ with us and before us

We give you thanks, O God, that when we are too hurt to forgive others, your mercy towards us continues to flow; when we are too callous to notice the pain of others, you feel it in yourself; that when life confuses us, and we do not know what the good is, we can look to you for what it means to live morally; that when we are at our weakest, in pain or self-pity, you know our frailty and remain strong beside us.

We go into the world, O God, and Christ goes with us and before us, crucified and risen, redeeming our pain, making tender our hearts, bringing clarity to our minds, strengthening us to do the wise and just thing. Hear us as we pray the prayer that you gave us to draw close to You.

Prayer by Dr. Roger Paynter, from worship, February 21, 2010.  Hear the sermon here.