Pretending: A Prayer of Confession

Merciful and Loving God, 

It is exhausting to constantly pretend. And I am chief among pretenders. 

I pretend to be smart. 

I pretend to be composed.

I pretend to hate injustice.

I pretend to desire good for everyone. 

I pretend to be accepting.

I pretend that I know how to pray. 

I confess that I am willfully and woefully ignorant. 

I confess that I love injustice as long as it benefits me. 

I confess that I care mostly about myself'. 

I confess that I am  judgmental.

I confess that I am not nearly as "spiritual" as I let on. 

Forgive me, Oh Christ. 

Heal me! 

Heal me from the illness of insecurity. 

Allow me the freedom to be fully myself, warts and all, and to accept myself without judgement. 

Sanctify me so that I may be a blessing. 

Sanctify me so that I may not only be liberated, but so that I may be an agent of liberation for other.

Greet me with kindness. Greet me with love. 

Amen.