After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’
~~~Genesis 15:1
Lord, A shield is particularly important to the vulnerable. We acknowledge our vulnerability to the many obstacles that life sets before us, and we recognize your ability to remove them. Please stand as our mighty shield as we travel our life journey. With you as our shield, we have victory.
Amen
Filed under Lenten Daily 2021
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.
~~~Ephesians 2:8-9
Lord, Salvation by faith is both simple and hard. We were all born with a streak of defiance in us. That defiance sometimes makes it difficult to turn ourselves over to you in faith. It is also exceedingly challenging to have faith in what we have not seen. Lord give us the strength to be faithful this day and all days to come.
Amen
Filed under Lenten Daily 2021
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.
~~~2 Timothy 4:1-2
Lord, Prepare us for the day that I will be judged by my deeds. Give me the grace necessary to live as my belief requires. I ask forgiveness in the many ways that I have failed to live up to that which I profess. It is in your love and grace that I implore you this day
Amen
Filed under Lenten Daily 2021
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
~~~Psalm 25
Lord, We all fear shame in our lives. Shame can cause us to make many mistakes. Lord, I confess my sins and ask you to remove my shame. Renew me in the bosom of your love and grace. Help me to find a way forward in difficult times. I know that you are gracious and merciful and can make this happen.
Amen
Filed under Lenten Daily 2021
My child, if you accept my words
and treasure up my commandments within you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
if you indeed cry out for insight,
and raise your voice for understanding;
if you seek it like silver,
and search for it as for hidden treasures—
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
—-Proverbs 2:1-5
Question – Are you crying out to God for wisdom?
Prayer- LORD, my prayer today is a visceral cry for your wisdom and insight. My faculties fail me and my wisdom is lacking, but you offer to me what I can never achieve alone. Fill me with the insight and wisdom that is necessary to move forward in this difficult and trying time. Amen
Filed under Lent 2020, Lenten Prayer Guide
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
—-Zephaniah 3:17
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
—-Matthew 6:34
Question- Will you depend upon the might of God to overcome your anxiety?
Prayer- LORD, we live in a world that is wrought with justifiable anxiety at this stressful and perilous time. I will look to you, the mighty one, to carry me through this day. Guide me through the troubles of this day and protect me from the challenges to come. Help me to focus using your eyes as my eyes and your love as my comfort. Amen
Filed under Lent 2020, Lenten Prayer Guide
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
—–Philippians 4:7-10
Question- What must I do to find the peace of God on this day?
Prayer- LORD, your peace is what we seek. The peace you offer frees us from the tyranny of this world and the uncertainty of its achievements. We are surrounded by frightening and disturbing things right now and we seek your peace with all our heart. Amen
Filed under Lenten Prayer Guide
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
—2 Chronicles 7:14
Question- How will you humble yourself today?
Prayer- LORD, you are teaching some new definitions of humility during this crisis that we are facing. Give me the courage to put myself aside and live for the greater good. I know that you will heal us in time and I acknowledge my helplessness as I wait and pray for that time to come. Amen.
Filed under Lent 2020, Lenten Prayer Guide
Blessed be the Lord my rock!
who trains my hands to fight and my fingers to battle
My help and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield in whom I trust.
O Lord, what are we that you should care for us?
mere mortals that you should think of us?
We are like a puff of wind.
our days are like a passing shadow.
—-Psalm 144
Question- What are some ways that I can trust you today?
Prayer-
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offense, let me bring pardon.
Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
O Master, let me not seek as much
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love,
for it is in giving that one receives,
it is in self-forgetting that one finds,
it is in pardoning that one is pardoned,
it is in dying that one is raised to eternal life.
—Francis of Assisi
Filed under Lent 2020, Lenten Prayer Guide
You are my witnesses, says the Lord,
and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor shall there be any after me.
I, I am the Lord,
and besides me there is no savior.
—–Isaiah 43:10-11
Question- How can I be a witness to the Lord today?
Prayer– LORD, you have chosen us as your witnesses today. Help us to rise to the occasion as we walk through life. Give us the courage and the wise words to share your grace to those that you send our way. Amen
Filed under Lent 2020, Lenten Reflection
A Pastor's Thoughts 