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.
‘Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.’ Colossians 4:2
Prayer is on my mind and in my heart as we enter the season of Lent this year.
I have also been thinking about models in my life who have encouraged me in my prayer life. The person who comes to my mind is Betty, a ninety-seven year old friend and mentor who attended the church we went to when we arrived in Tucson and lived on the east side. I spent every Wednesday morning with Betty and others praying for the life of our church. Betty took prayer seriously and was devoted to her practice of praying for each person listed in her prayer journal every day. She often would check in with me to see how things were going with someone I had asked her to pray for. Betty also kept a gratitude journal and encouraged me to do the same. She said that her gratitudes kept her encouraged in her daily prayer life.
I have decided to add a practice of writing down my gratitudes in my journal during Lent this year. Like Betty, I will appreciate the encouragement.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for my prayer partners at Lord of Grace and all of those who have come before who have encouraged me in my prayer life. May I be of encouragement to others as they have been to me.
In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen
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.