Prayer of Confession Reading #4

[Betty]

          Forgive us God, for being so serious about life.
          Forgive us whenever we forget to laugh--at life's absurdities;
          at things that are funny; at ourselves.
          Forgive us for holding onto sadness and worry,
          for failing to reach for joy and hope in our Risen Christ.
          May we cultivate smiles day by day,
          and may we become beacons of joy to each other and to the world.
          We pray in the name of joyful Jesus.  Amen