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We gather here as a community of believers seeking reconciliation with each other and with other communities. We are reminded that we are all part of one global human family living together in an unfair world. Through our actions or through our silence we all share responsibility for the ways our world is unfair. We ask God to help us see how we have harmed our brothers and sisters in Christ. We seek God’s forgiveness for our failure to act on behalf of poor and marginalised communities and commit ourselves to working for a better world for all.
L: We bring the world before us. (A bowl is placed at the centre of assembled group. Water is poured into the bowl from a jug)
Let this water be a symbol both of our common baptism with all Christians and the source of life shared with all people. (Some salt is poured into the water)
Let this salt be a symbol of the sorrow and bitterness in our broken world. We know too that salt and water can help cleanse and heal. Let us bless ourselves with this salt water as a sign of our commitment to healing divisions between people, through our prayers and by our actions. (Everyone is invited forward, as directed, to bless themselves)
PAUSE 1 As we gather may we take these actions to heart and put them into practice. Let us be ambassadors, representatives of Christ in the way we treat one another. May we be forces of unity and peace, truth and charity with one another. Only through your grace is this possible, so guide and direct us with your power.
2 As we gather together, God of mercy, help us to forgive one another readily and gladly. May we be as courteous, gracious, and trustworthy as you have been forever. God, never abandon us to our anger and grudges and the destruction they cause. Rather, plant in our heart your forgiving, generous spirit.
Prayer of Reconciliation Life teaches us that although we try to change others, realistically we can only attempt to change ourselves; yet, so often reconciliation is viewed in terms of changing other people.
And so I say that for each of us, reconciliation must take place first in our own hearts wherein each of us confesses and acknowledges that we have made our own contribution to any disunity and separation that to some degree exists among us.
It is my fervent hope and prayer that we shall receive the gift of healing and reconciliation and true unity which is only the Lord’s to give, and comes simply from our willingness to open ourselves to receive it. |
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Water
rite