Sunday Prayer

Last week we have considered the role of compassion in religious experience, which transformed into something like an apology for christian organizations.

But there is no apology. This week we are moving into the topic of why we don't go to church, why the religious organizations are being left behind. 

Hans Kung, the contemporary German theologian/priest (often excommunicated), leads us in prayer:

Living and gracious God, hear our prayer;
our guilt has become great.
Forgive us children of Abraham our wars,
our enmities, our misdeeds toward one another.
Rescue us from all distress and give us peace.

Guardian of our destiny,
bless the leaders and rulers of the nations,
that they may not covet power and glory
but act responsibly
for the welfare and peace of humankind.

Guide our religious communities and those set over them,
that they may not only proclaim the message of peace
but also show it in their lives.

And to all of us, and to those who do not worship among us,
give your grace, mercy, and all good things,
and lead us, God of the living,
on the right way to your eternal glory. 
Amen.

ps: "Living God" means a god of the future and present, an optimistic, futurist god, not the dusty, nostalgic, ancient god of our ancestors." Let Matt explain: