This year, February 14th marks two special days in the year: Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Season of Lent. As we combine these two traditions, we are reminded of the love of God for us, and for each other:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Lord of Grace, as we draw close to you in prayer this Lenten Season, open our eyes to see your heart of love all around us, and guide us to share your love with those you place in our paths and lives. Amen.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America offers many resources to support us as we seek to pray more deeply in all situations in our lives! “The Prayers and Blessings For Daily Use” offers prayers for mornings, evenings, workdays and school days; table prayers (including those who eat alone); prayers for times of conflict, crisis and disaster; health of body and soul; those experiencing affliction, trouble, bereavement; those suffering from addiction; the chronically ill and caregivers, support teams and health care providers; recovery from sickness; the unemployed; those who live alone; and prayers attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, Catherine of Siena, Julian Norwich, and Martin Luther.
We close with one of the prayers from this ELCA resource:
Almighty God, your love never fails, and you can turn the shadow of death into daybreak. Help us to receive your word with believing hearts, so that, confident in your promises, we may have hope and be lifted out of sorrow into the joy and peace of your presence; through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Link to The Prayers and Blessings For Daily Use: https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/DailyPrayer_PrayersBlessings.pdf
Please know that the Lord of Grace Prayer Team continues to pray over all prayer petitions sent our way, including the requests entered in the prayer journal in the narthex. The Team will also continue to offer individual prayer times after each worship service on the 4th Sunday of each month. We strongly believe in the power of prayer and that a continual connection with our God will keep us all closer to Him. Remember, God can bring the peace you seek. Seek Him in prayer.
