O God,
sustain us in the complexity of our humanity
as you sustained David--
playing the harp of youth,
throwing stones at giant problems,
loving our friends beyond wisdom,
dancing worship,
mourning children,
breaking our hearts in psalms, and
longing for warmth in our old bones. Amen.

God of the lowly and the mighty,
you know the ugliness of your people
when we harm and destroy one another,
yet you offer us
forgiveness of our sins if we but turn to you.
Expand our hearts to receive the mercy you give us,
that, in turn, we may share your grace and mercy
with others each moment of our lives. Amen.​

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Prayers from the Revised Common Lectionary