Day 361 | Monday, 15 March 2021

Day 361 - Audio Version

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​Day 361 | Monday, 15 March 2021

 COVID-19 update:  as of Friday afternoon, there have been 7,752 confirmed cases in the county with 119 now active, 227 in isolation and 139 deaths.  There have been 2,056 cases in the 14701 zip code, 1,403 in Dunkirk, 902 in Fredonia, 304 in Lakewood and 271 in Bemus.  In the USA we are now over 535,000 deaths with 29.4 million cases.  Even though the vaccines are working we are still dealing with many deaths due to this pandemic.

 As we continue our journey through Lent, I offer more prayers.

 “One step on the path, we are returning home.  Drawing closer to God, we are coming back home.  Seeing the errors we've made, we are turning toward home.  Knowing more about ourselves, we are making our way home.  Trusting in God's embrace, we are coming home.”

 An Invocation:
“Almighty and eternal God, you are a refiner’s fire, you are the thunder in the mountain, you are the potter with the clay, you are the pillar of cloud in the wilderness and the burning bush in the desert.  We do not take off our shoes as did Moses, but we do take off our pride as we stand in awe and reverence in your holy presence.  Amen

 A Lenten Prayer of Confession
“Guide our feet, holy God, on your path, for we are tempted to stray. We turn toward the cheap success, the fleeting fame, the passing fad. We are always looking to someone, or some purchase, or some experience to fill our souls. But nothing lasts except the constant pull of your love.

Holy God, tune our hearts to your commands, fill our minds with your counsels, keep our eyes on Jesus, our companion and guide. Amen.”

 A Lenten Litany
“Death and darkness hide in too many corners of our world. Children go to bed hungry. Dissident voices are locked up in prisons.  Armaments are stockpiled, while assault weapons terrorize our streets. Fear haunts our cities. We long for freedom and release, for justice and peace.

Let us journey through Lent with all our hearts so we don't forget the One who has sustained us through all times and seasons.

Families are pushed and pulled by economics and activities. We pack our calendars and strain our relationships. Tragedies and accidents upset the fragile balance we hold.

Let us not forget the One who invites us to come away awhile for a rest.

Griefs linger, resentments smolder, tensions mount, our personal faith gets challenged and we long for divine guidance or at least some breathing space.

Yet God is with us through it all, the One who has blessed us with hope and forgiveness.”

 A Lenten Blessing
“May you know hope in the midst of doubts, assurance in times of questioning and peace in the presence of conflict.  May your journey through Lent lead you ever closer to the heart of God and may God walk with you all your days.  Amen”
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 Today:  Prayers for families still experiencing loss of loved ones due to the virus.