God of grace and glory,
I come into your presence in this holy season,
aware of my brokenness,
confessing how easy it is to make idols of earthly things.
For this I repent.
I seek to set aside all that separates me from you.
I want to risk forgiving others and to find my own
forgiveness in the fullness of your mercy.

Help me to hear and to see.
Help me to live in the blessed assurance of faith,
without illusion.
Knowing I am forgiven.
Knowing I have work to do.
Knowing that through you I dwell in grace and freedom
even when I struggle to feel it.

I thank you for life and breath this day.
I lift this vast, beautiful, and broken world up to you
as I praise your holy name.

Amen.