Lent Daybook, 21 & 22: Delivered
A Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. Join me, won't you? (see previous Lent daybook 2018 posts here)
Is this your first time to practice Lent? Here's a simple introduction: How we prepare for Lent.
*Note: If you're reading this in email, the formatting usually looks much better at the website. Just click the post title to get there.*
Onnes (Christ and the Serpent) by Odilon Redon (source)
Friday's readings: Genesis 47:1-26, Psalm 88, 1 Corinthians 9:16-27, Mark 6:47-56
Saturday's readings: Genesis 47:27--48:7, Psalm 87, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Mark 7:1-23
all readings for the fourth Sunday in Lent: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21
excerpts:
“And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.”
*
”Some were fools through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;...
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from their destruction.”
*
”And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience...”
*
”And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
’For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’”
* Monday - Thursday Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer (Year 2). On Fridays, I'll include the Scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday which are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year B).
Collect for the fourth Sunday in Lent:
“Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
Spiritual practice for today:
Use the guide below to examine your heart and look for meaningful ways to put your faith into practice.
Prayer of Examination:
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!(Psalm 139:23-24)
Take a moment to quiet your heart and reflect upon the past week. Look especially for ways to express gratitude and thanksgiving to God for his goodness and love, as well as genuine sorrow over your own sin and brokenness. Close this time of prayer by expressing your hope in the power of the Holy Spirit who is faithful to forgive, cleanse, and transform you into his likeness (2 Cor. 3:18). (source)
(see all Lent daybook posts from 2017 here)