Lent Daybook 29: Into Your Hand, I Commit My Spirit

Look:  Late May, Deidre Scherer - Source | H/T 

"The artist Deidre Scherer is a pioneer in her medium of thread-on-layered-fabric. She has created two narrative series – The Last Year and Surrounded by Family & Friends – that promote an open dialogue about aging and dying..."

Listen*: How Long, How Long, Bill Fay - Lyrics | Spotify | YouTube 

Read**:  Psalm 31; Exodus 4:10-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-19; Mark 9:30-41  

Excerpts:

"In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

... But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!

... Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.

Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help."

*

"But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.

... The Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. And Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord with which he had sent him to speak, and all the signs that he had commanded him to do. Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. Aaron spoke all the words that the Lord had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped."

*

"Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up."

*

"They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

- Psalm 31:1-5, 14-16, 19-22 * Exodus 4:10-17, 27-31 * 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 * Mark 9:30-37 (ESV)

Pray: The Lord's Prayer - Adapted from this source.

On Mondays during Lent, we'll use the Lord's Prayer as our guide for praying for ourselves and the world. One of the ways to pray the Lord's prayer is by dividing it into six sections and pausing between each section to offer prayer on that theme.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name

Thank God for who God is and for God's abundant faithfulness. Contemplate God's many attributes and offer praise for the blessings in your life, community, and the world: _________.

Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Pray for God's rule and reign to become a reality in your life, city, nation, and world. Ask for God to bring miracles and salvation: ____________________.

Give us this day our daily bread

Pray for God's daily provision in your life and for those around the world who the Holy Spirit brings to your heart and mind: ____________________.

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us

Engage in a few moments of silence to allow space for the Holy Spirit to bring specific acts of sin to your attention. Confess those sins to the Lord. Also, be still and allow the Holy Spirit to bring to mind those that have sinned against you so that you can name them to God, ask for healing and strength to forgive. Forgive those who have wronged you: ____________________.

Lead us not into temptation

Ask for God guide you in 'paths of righteousness for God's name sake'. Pray that God will give you the discernment and knowledge of God's will in the specific decisions, known and unknown, ahead of you today: ____________________.

Deliver us from evil

Pray for God's protection against any of the strategies of Satan. The Devil wants to kill, steal, and destroy. Ask God to mightily deliver you and others the Holy Spirit brings to your heart and mind: ____________________.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Do: Fast from spending money. Feast on giving alms.

This week, fast from spending money, and feast on giving alms instead.  Let each necessary purchase remind you of the reality of our complete poverty and helplessness before God and without the work of Christ. Instead of spending practice giving. Almsgiving is a traditional Lenten practice. This week pray that the Lord would show you his face in the most distressing of your neighbors, and lead you to ways that you can show compassionate mercy. 

Two giving opportunities to consider: 

  • A local mission or food pantry. With so many out of work, food pantries are already reporting shortages, and Bridgeport Rescue Mission will see a spike in daily meals served and food distributed. Church of the Apostles will be making a special donation to BRM to help in this time. Join us by dropping of non-perishable food items at the mission or making a donation. You can check out news from BRM by following this link.

  • Go global. Quarantined Refugees are running out of food. Donate through one of my favorite charities - https://preemptivelove.org/food-crisis/

* Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify - Lent: Songs For Everyone. Add it to your account by clicking ‘Save to My Library.’

** Sunday Scripture readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year A). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer (Year 2).