God.

Isaiah wrote your words in a scroll, more than almost anyone else in the Old Testament.  and those words are quoted throughout the New Testament.

Paul wrote your words in letters that we still read, over and over. His letters shape much of our thinking about what church could be.

Peter wrote some more of the New Testament. And he was also the leader in the earliest days of the church.

And all of them talk about how insignificant and unworthy they are.

If they aren’t any good, how can we hope to be useful to you or to anyone. How can we hope to measure up, hope to be any good?

If they aren’t worthy of being called by you, famous leaders and authors that they were, what hope is there for us?

Unless.

Unless it’s really true that you start with what we are and you fill us with your words, and you forgive us with your graciousness, and you welcome us with your deep love.

But how can that be true? We confess that we question your judgment. We confess that we live more comfortably in our sense of insignificance than in your welcoming power.

We confess that we are afraid you might expect more from us than we can imagine doing.

Forgive us.

And remind us that in our weakness, you are strong.

Remind us that in our lack of words, you are the loving Word.

Remind us that you overlook our gaps and you full us with your fullness.

Remind us that you want us.

We ask through Christ our Lord.

May it be so.

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This and other prayers are in God. We Need You. A Year of Prayer in a Hospital Chapel.