Lenten Benediction

Here’s a Lenten benediction from Joanna Harader’s Spacious Faith blog.

Benediction for Lent

Whatever wilderness the Spirit has brought you to:
walk in boldness, as a beloved child of God
walk in peace, under the shelter of the Most High
walk in faith, knowing Christ walks with you. Amen.

~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on her Spacious Faith blog. http://spaciousfaith.com/

Prayer for the Start of Lent

God of revelation, 
unveil your Kingdom in our midst. 
Show us who we truly are in you: 
expose the illusions that distort our vision, 
deliver us from temptations that contort our living, 
open our eyes in this time of trial – 
that resistance may be the secret of our joy 
and our joy a sign of your shalom. Amen.

 

~ posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

Prayers of the People for the Start of Lent

Here’s a pastoral prayer for the start of the Lent season. It was written by Patrick Ryan, Pastor at Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church in Barboursville, West Virginia.

 

Prayer for Faithfulness

at the Beginning of Lent

 

Loving Lord,

at the beginning of this Lenten season,

we are met with the challenge of handing over

every bit of our lives that do not come from You.

To rid ourselves of what clutters our lives,

and all that distracts us from the simple truth

of Your love for us.

 

Your prophets have called us to change the way we worship—

to make internal sacrifices instead of external ones.

To seek justice, and love kindness,

and walk humbly with You

each and every one of our days.

 

If we don’t give anything up for Lent,

then let us at least give up this:

that we might live cease living in ways that disconnect us from You,

for every one of our steps is like a circle around Your temple.

Perhaps this Lent,

we can give up our way

and give ourselves to Your way for us.

 

So, lead and guide us on this Lenten way.

May we walk with Jesus toward the hill just outside of Jerusalem.

May we like Him take up our cross and follow,

spending each moment of our lives living responsively to You,

just as Christ Himself did.

For that is the faithful way. Amen.

 

~ written by Patrick Ryan, Pastor at Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church in Barboursville, West Virginia.

 

Pastoral Prayer: Lent 1

Here’s a pastoral prayer/prayer of intercession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for the first Sunday in Lent, Year C. It was written by Gill Le Fevre.

 

Pastoral Prayer: Lent 1

 

Almighty God,

Be with us as we contend with our lives and all our challenges.

Thank you for listening

as we bring before you the troubles that undermine us.

 

We affirm, it is written,

 “One does not live by bread alone.”

 

Strengthen and sustain our families and our communities.

Nurture the bonds between us

and inspire us to live with empathy and forgiveness.

 

Help those struggling with work or facing uncertainty in their futures,

that they may find peace in your abundant love.

 

Jesus, our Redeemer, rescue us when we stumble.

 

We proclaim, it is written,

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”

 

Enable us to admit the temptations of the world,

and support us to resist turning away from your teaching.

Awaken us to recognize the gifts you have given each one of us,

and to see the role we can play in healing your creation.

 

Be with our leaders and those around the world,

that they may act with compassion and generosity.

Guide them to humbly serve their own countries

and to foster peace across our borders.

 

God, our Creator, inspire us with renewed hope.

 

We acknowledge, it is written,

“Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

 

Deepen our faith to hear your word and follow your way.

Encourage us to bring all our hopes and desires to you in prayer,

that in lifting up our souls to you,

we may be shaped by your love.

Help us to hear the dialogue of prayer,

and to listen in prayer as much as we speak.

 

Comfort those battling ill health

to bear their pain with patience, strength and courage.

 

Holy Spirit, our Comforter, sustain us in our times of trial.

 

All this we pray, assured by your eternal love, Amen.

 

~ submitted by Gill Le Fevre

Lenten Reflection: Anywhere Else

Here’s a thoughtful Lenten reflection from Cheryl Lawrie’s [hold this space] website.

Reflection for Lent

i just realized

that in my imagination

the wilderness is always somewhere else;

a foreign landscape i actively have to enter

in the act of being faithful.

truthfully,

the wilderness is always where i am

right now

and faith is the courage to stay with it

when i’d rather pretend i am

anywhere else.

~ written by Cheryl Lawrie and posted on [hold this space]. http://holdthisspace.org.au/

Call to Worship at the Start of Lent

Here is a responsive call to worship written by Gill Le Fevre for the first Sunday of Lent.

 

Call to Worship

 

As darkness gives way to light

and winter sleep to fresh beginnings,

We come today to be reminded of God's love for us. 

Like the green shoots of renewed life,

stirring beneath the soil,

We welcome an awakening of God's word in our lives.

In this time of reflection and repentance,

We affirm our identity, we claim our security,

as children of God.

 

~ submitted by Gill Le Fevre