An Opening Prayer for Lent

Here’s an opening prayer for Lent from Rev. Dr Douglas Galbraith. It was posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.

Opening Prayer

God, you loved the world so much
that you embraced it in all its suffering
in your beloved Son Jesus Christ,
who sought the way of the cross
that he might come to Easter
and offer us the way back to you.

We thank you for this space apart,
not just on this Sunday morning
but in the weeks that are to come –
space to become more receptive
to the incredible promise of new life:
life to challenge all that is deathly in our world,
life to challenge all that is dull in our hearts.

Help us to use this time,
not just in prayer at worship,
but in the thoughtfulness
in which we go about these coming days,
listening for your voice in all we do,
as you challenge the habits that restrict us
and the assumptions that close our minds.
Help us also to be aware of others
who at this time are examining themselves,
whether from religious duty
or because they have reached a turning point,
in a career, or in a relationship, or in a crisis.
Give us an ear that listens
that we may find the words to sustain
and the openness to learn
through Jesus Christ,
our deliverance and our hope. Amen.

~ written by Rev Dr Douglas Galbraith, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.  http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/