Sinners all

A while back, on a StandFirm thread, Irenaeus reminded us that we are all sinners:

“Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee.
‘Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee:
I crucified thee”
—Johann Heermann, Hymn 158

“Twas I that shed that sacred Blood,
I nailed him to the Tree,
I crucified the Christ of God,
I joined the mockery”
—Frederick William Faber

“It was my pride and hardness
that hung him on the tree;
those cruel nails, O Savior,
were driven in by me”
—Cecil Francis Alexander

As God forgave us, so He commands us to forgive others.

O Hound of Heaven,
Turn our eyes to our own hearts. Bring to our minds those sins that You wish us to confess and cover them with the blood of the Lamb.
Give us the grace to say, “Lord, I forgive ____. Help my unforgiveness.” Amen.

Maryland

The diocesan convention of Maryland commences today.

Dear Heavenly Father,
You stand ready to save those who honor You, who worship You, and who reverently fear You. We pray for a spirit of honor, worship, and reverence at the Maryland convention. We lift up the hearts of the voting delegates and visitors and cry out for mercy. Guard them from false thinking and foolish ways.
May there be a fruition of mercy, loving-kindness, righteousness, and peace in the hearts of those attending the convention. May truth stand forth and loyalty to You be plainly manifest. Amen.
Psalm 85:9-11