by Ken Kelley

After a great rehearsal of Lenten music with the bell choir last, I went home with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. Some of you probably think it rather odd that the music of Lent, or anything else on our Lenten journey, would be cheerful. We’re practicing 3 different versions of “What Wondrous Love Is This” which ends, ”and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, and through eternity I’ll sing on.”

Yes, we must go through Good Friday before we can get to Easter. As we journey toward Easter (resurrection), we confess and we repent (turn a new way-- toward God). I came across a prayer of confession this week written by Dr. C. Welton Gaddy and pray that you will find it meaningful:

Prayer of Confession

God, forgive my incompleteness:
not growing in Christ,
not expanding my knowledge of the Scriptures,
not developing all my talents.

God, forgive my disinterest:
a lack of concern for needs around me,
apathy regarding the lostness of millions,
blindness to hurts I could help heal.

God, forgive my dishonesty:
taking the easy way rather than the right way,
speaking in one manner while living in another,
silencing truth to preserve tranquility,
settling for less than what is best,
loving tradition more than obeying your pioneering Spirit.

God, forgive my loudness:
talking when I should be listening,
proclaiming when I should be studying,
busying myself with new tasks
when I should be finding a quiet place to rest.

God, forgive my silence:
feeling love and failing to whisper it,
reeling with joy and not shouting hallelujah,
knowing truth and forfeiting an opportunity to share it,
sensing a need to share my faith and squelching the impulse.
God, please forgive me.

I pray that you will:
have your complacency challenged as you turn toward God, find a place of peace,
and share your joy and God’s love with the world.

Godspeed,
Ken

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