Psalm 72.2, 4
May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice…
May he defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
may he crush the oppressor.
Reflection: Confession Destroys Denial
By John Tillman
Nothing destroys denial except confession. Nothing repairs the damage of denial except repentance.
As a way of mourning with Ezekiel, and confessing what we have been in denial about, let us join in a prayer from earlier times—a Psalm celebrating how the kingdom should have been and looking forward through Christ to what it will ultimately be.
Psalm 72 is attributed to Solomon, but it’s closing line tells us that it “concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.” Of course, the psalmist is prophetically speaking about Jesus, the true son of David.
A Prayer of Confession and Repentance
We acknowledge, Lord, that justice deserving the name does not come from us.
We pledge to pray and work for justice knowing that our best work will be partial and incomplete…
Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.
You are the source of justice, Lord, but we accept our roles as sons and daughters of the king.
We bear your name and must carry out your justice and righteousness in the earth.
May he defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
may he crush the oppressor.
We claim your promise to Eve that her seed would crush evil at its source.
We give our lives and bodies as Mary did to be used by you to bring down rulers from their thrones, lift up the humble, and fill the hungry with good things.
For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.
We confess we have been deaf to cries of the needy, cries for help, and cries of injustice.
Give us your hearing and heart as we work in the name of Christ our king to proclaim good news to the poor and set the oppressed free.
Where earthly governments will join us in these tasks, may we walk and serve with them.
But never let us rely on earthly kings to carry out the tasks of the heavenly kingdom.
Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.
Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
Our sins are stronger than we are, but you will blot them out. — Psalm 65.3
– Prayer from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Prayers from The Divine Hours available online and in print.
Today’s Readings
Ezekiel 24 (Listen – 4:13)
Psalm 72 (Listen – 2:21)
This Weekend’s Readings
Ezekiel 25 (Listen – 2:50) Psalm 73 (Listen – 2:56)
Ezekiel 26 (Listen – 3:45) Psalm 74 (Listen – 2:34)
Additional Reading
Read More about Blind to Injustice, Deaf to Oppression
We were fascinated by the lure of prosperity and closed our eyes to injustice and our ears to the cries of the oppressed.
Read More about Praying Beyond Confession
In Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible Bonhoeffer shows that for each Psalm of confession there is another Psalm proclaiming righteousness.
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