Invocation

Holy One,

Draw us close to you.

Speak life into our lives.

Move the mountains of injustice in our world. 

Calm the storms of hate and fear.

Draw us together by the power of your Holy Spirit.

Build us up in humility and hope.

Guide our steps.

Give us courage to live like Jesus.

By the power of the One who was,

and is,

and is to come. 

Amen. 

Invocation

Imminent and transcendent God, 

We welcome you to our church today.

Center our hearts and our minds.

Help us devote ourselves fully to you.

Help us surrender our agenda and our will to yours.

Send your Holy Spirit

to bless and convict us.

In Jesus' name we pray,

amen. 

Prayer of confession

Based on the temptation in the desert

Lord God,
We confess we have been tempted.
In the desert places where all we saw was all we didn't have and couldn't get.
In the high places where we needed you to show up, to know you are real, for you to take our side.
And on mountain tops where the world was ours for the taking.
We regret that sometimes we took the bait.
We chose short-lived satisfaction,
the things that tested you,
 and the successes that made us look good.
For all the times we failed to be faithful and choose you,
we ask for your forgiveness.

What you have to offer is so much greater and durable than the things of the world.
Help us to remember that.
Help us to cling to you.
Give us holy wisdom.
Give us self control.
Give us humility.
So that we may become more like Jesus with each choice we make.
Amen.