Responsive Reading

One thing I love about my church is we don't just trudge along, saying the same old prayers, reciting the same old responsive readings.  Our worship services are thoughtful.  We are challenged to delve deeper, to think instead of conform, to search together for the answer to the question, what does God really ask of us?  This responsive reading really hit home with me:

Glorious God, your thoughts are not our thoughts,
nor are your ways our ways.
You look at the ugliest soul and see, still unstirred,
the wings of an angel.
     We scan the finest of our neighbors, anxious to find the flaws.
You see our lives in the context of eternity,
and make a time for waiting, for yearning,
for putting all things in proportion.
     We demand instant results;
     and look for tomorrow before savoring today.
Your thoughts are not our thoughts,
     Nor are your ways our ways.
Not to have our worst confirmed,
but to have our best liberated,
we pray for your grace and your pardon.
     Forgive in us what has gone wrong;
     Repair in us what is anxious and wasted;
     Reveal in us what is good.

Comments

[Andrea]

I really like that! Thank you for sharing it with us!

[Pat]

I appreciate you sharing this beautiful reading.