Lent daybook, 24 & 25: Let's get rid of the preacher
A Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. (You can see previous Lent daybook 2017 posts here)
Conscience, Judas by Nikolai Ge (source)
Song for today: Hurt by Johnny Cash
Listen to all of the Lent Daybook 2017 songs at this playlist on Spotify: Lent 2017
Readings for today: Psalm 95, Jeremiah 11:1-8, 14-20, Romans 6:1-11, John 8:33-47
“God told me what was going on. That’s how I knew. You, God, opened my eyes to their evil scheming. I had no idea what was going on—naive as a lamb being led to slaughter! I didn’t know they had it in for me, didn’t know of their behind-the-scenes plots:
’Let’s get rid of the preacher.
That will stop the sermons!
Let’s get rid of him for good.
He won’t be remembered for long.’
*
’If God were your father,’ said Jesus, ‘you would love me, for I came from God and arrived here. I didn’t come on my own. He sent me. Why can’t you understand one word I say? Here’s why: You can’t handle it. You’re from your father, the Devil, and all you want to do is please him. He was a killer from the very start. He couldn’t stand the truth because there wasn’t a shred of truth in him. When the Liar speaks, he makes it up out of his lying nature and fills the world with lies. I arrive on the scene, tell you the plain truth, and you refuse to have a thing to do with me. Can any one of you convict me of a single misleading word, a single sinful act? But if I’m telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Anyone on God’s side listens to God’s words. This is why you’re not listening—because you’re not on God’s side.’”
Readings for Saturday: Psalm 87, Psalm 90, Jeremiah 13:1-11, Romans 6:12-23, John 8:47-59
Prayer for today:
“You came to taste death, yet You were the Life and had come to bring it to the dead.
Thanks be to God. Amen.”
Spiritual practice for Friday & Saturday:
On Friday, choose one of the following fasts in honor of the crucifixion of our Lord:
No meat
Skip one meal
No caffeine
On Friday or Saturday, 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 2016 here)