As I begin my journey through the Lenten season, I awake this morning knowing immediately what it is I must do. Prayer, oh yes but I wanted something to set my mind in focus. When normally I would reach for my Bible, today, I was looking for a different guide. I stooped to look under the bed where I knew I would find one of Rick’s many devotional books. One in particular caught my eye and it just happens to be exactly what I was looking for (unbeknown to me at that moment). It is titled, ‘Eternal Seasons; A Spiritual Journey through the Church’s Year’ by Henri J.M. Nouwen. I offer this prayer as it is tugging at me hard.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Today the Lenten season begins. It is a time to be with you in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death.

I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, human respect, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life.

I know that Lent is going to be a very hard time for me. The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life. I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. There are no times or places without choices. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you.

Please Lord, be with me at every moment and in every place. Give me the strength and the courage to live this season faithfully, so that, when Easter comes, I will be able to taste with joy the new life which you have prepared for me.

I offer this in your name, Amen.

Ash Wednesday is approaching quickly, then we will be in the season of Lent.  Have you put much thought into this time of reflection?  Have you done any soul searching?  What about living the next 40 days in self-less love?  Do you know who Christ is?  Do you know why you are a Christian and what it means to live a Christian life?  These are a few of the questions we ought to be reflecting on.  Truth be told, it is what we should be doing on a regular basis, but do we?  Lent is a purposeful time for that and we begin its season on February 25 with the Ash Wednesday Service.

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The Message (Eugene H. Peterson)

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best — as above, so below.

Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
You’re in charge!

You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.

1662 Book of Common Prayer

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

But deliver us from evil:

[For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.] Amen.