Day 349 | Wednesday, 3 March 2021

Day 349 - Audio Version

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Day 349 | Wednesday, 3 March 2021

 Two weeks ago, we began a Lenten journey.  Let me share some Lenten prayers.

 A Beginning:
“Lent calls us to journey along the edge, to anticipate that final trip to Jerusalem.

 Lent calls us to the cutting edge, when life comes forth; the making of a new covenant.

 Lent calls us not only to give up something, but also to take upon ourselves the intention of true participation in the mystery of God-with-us.

 Lent calls us to confession, accountability and preparation.
 Lent calls us to concentrate upon our baptismal vocation to be a sign of the new earth.

 Lent calls us to face the darkness without holding a flashlight.”

 A Lenten Invocation:
“As we progress through Lent, our Father, enable us to deepen our spiritual lives. Teach us to pray rightly that we may know the blessing of being rooted and grounded in your Spirit. Focus our minds upon Christ, for it is in him that we see the pattern we are to follow. Thus, it is in his name we pray. Amen.”

 A Prayer of Confession:
“Divine Companion, you meet us every day, in the ordinary moments of encounter, in the common hungers of life. Yet, how often we miss you, failing to look deep enough, failing to stay long enough, failing to hear clear enough. We confess to setting up narrow boundaries, maintaining established prejudices, refusing to shift perceptions and thus miss the new thing you are doing.

In this season of Lent, send your living water to wear away our rocklike defenses. Let our thirst for truth take us to the heart of God, to the healing river. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”

 Another Lenten Prayer
“Temptations surround us, O God, and there is none that you have not seen before through your blessed Son. You know about the confusion of bread and security, the pretenses of power, the idolatry of thinking we are above it all.

We give you thanks that we are still in the walk of life and not above it – and especially give you thanks that your Son showed us the way. Through Jesus Christ, who knew how to handle the temptations of life. Amen.”

 A Prayer
“Holy God, center us in the journey toward the Cross. At the sights and sounds of Christ's journey toward Jerusalem, may we remember that we, too, must find our way to a new understanding of sacrifice for the sake of love for others.

Lead us not into the temptation of excuses, of definitions that keep us distant from your purpose. May we come to know that quiet joy of love, burning deep within us, that calls forth a desire to give ourselves for your world, like Christ did. Forgive us our distractions, heal our wounds, give us courage for this journey, not only to the Cross, but also beyond - to your new life for all peoples.

May it be so, may it be so. Through Jesus we pray. Amen.”
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 A Benediction
“Know that God has formed you for himself, so that you might declare his praise. In every time and place, give thanks to the Lord, trust in his grace and serve him with energy, imagination, intelligence and love.”