An Offering: Chaff and Grain

The following prayer - written for use in church tomorrow - was inspired by a George Eliot quote about friendship that I used to keep on the wall by my bed, written out and given to me by a close friend: 

“A friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.” 

Lord, it is an incredible truth that you give us the greatest gift we could ask for - yourself.

In response, we bring ourselves before you.

We bring not just our bodies, but our whole selves, all that we are.

We bring you all that we have done: that which has pleased you and brought you glory, and that which has not.

We bring you our thoughts and our emotions, our joys and sorrows, the things and the people that are on our minds.

We bring your our faith, and we bring you our questions and doubts.

We do so because we know you are good, gentle in heart and humble in spirit.

As our greatest friend, may you keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.