The following prayer was written by Alicia for the February 28 WBB service focusing on Proverbs 10 and sin.
Living God, we come to you in this season of Lent. Thank you for this period of time, when we hear your invitation to be honest about the sin in our lives, and to turn to you. Lord, teach us to number our days, and give us hearts of wisdom. Through your Son’s life, You gave us an example of how to live wisely. Through his death, you reconciled us to you and to one another, making it possible for us to grow in mature wisdom. In a world with many distractions, we need your help to speak rightly, act honestly, and live our lives in wholeness. Lord, teach us to number our days, and give us hearts of wisdom We confess: we are often very quick to speak, and slow to listen, going the opposite way from what your Word teaches us. We face the temptation to act without honesty and integrity, protecting ourselves at the expense of others in our relationships and our responsibilities. We often find it too hard to persevere in discipline and justice, failing to live out habits of real flourishing for ourselves and the communities around us. Lord, give us your heart of wisdom. [Silence for confession and self-examination] We pray during this season for those who speak in the city and the university: politicians, journalists, writers, and many others. Help them to consider their speech carefully, to stop and listen often, and to choose words that build others up and open new pathways. [Prayers silent and spoken for God’s influence on speech in the public square] We pray for those in positions of leadership, especially where there is money involved. We ask for leaders in all areas of public life who will embody integrity and transparency. Help them and us to place a high value on honest dealing and justice in all we do. [Prayers silent and spoken for leaders in UofT and Toronto] We pray for the students on this campus and around the city, that you would give them the desire and ability to pursue disciplined, life-giving habits, in their studies and in all of life. Shape them and us into people of freedom and hope in how we live day to day. [Prayers silent and spoken for students and others seeking the right way of life] Holy God, we know that your ways are the path of life. We need your help to grow in wisdom, and your grace when we lack it. We look to the example of your Son Jesus, and the holy, wholly human life he lived. Make us more like Jesus in our speech, our thoughts, and our actions. Lord, walk with us on the path of life. Amen.