Day 11 of Lent – Monday

We are beginning our second full week of Lent, a good time to be reminded of our dependence on God – our ever present source of help.  Many of us have chosen to “fast” from something or “add” something during the season of Lent.  We need to remember that the purpose is not just for the sake of “depriving” ourselves, but instead to devote ourselves more fully to God and focus our attention on His purposes.  Please do not be discouraged if you are struggling in your fast or miss a day of something that you have determined to add over the 40 days.  When challenges or “slip- ups” come along, ask God for His help – our goal is not to be legalistic about succeeding in our fast, but instead to develop a deeper dependency and intimacy with the God who loves us.

“No one is strong is his own strength, but he is safe by the grace and mercy of God.”  – Cyprian (Tunisia/D. 258)

Daily Scriptures:

Daniel 9:4-10

4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame–the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. 8 O Lord, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10 we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets.

Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13

8 Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. 9 Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.

11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you; by the strength of your arm preserve those condemned to die.

13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

Luke 6:36-38

36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Lenten Prayers:

God our Father,
teach us to be compassionate and full of mercy.
Keep us from sin,
and help us love others as you love us.
Lord, do not deal with us as our sins deserve.
   Thank You that You do not hold our past sins against us.
   Help us, O God our Savior,
   because of the glory of Your name;
   Deliver us and forgive our sins
   for Your name’s sake.

Intercessions:

God of power and mercy, give us a heart of prayer,
-with burning love for You and all mankind.
Help us to work with You in making all things new in Christ,
-and in spreading justice and peace throughout the world.
Teach us to appreciate the beauty of Your creation,
-so that we may join its voice to ours as we sing Your praise.

Closing Prayer:

Lord,
Your commandment of love is so simple
and so challenging.
Help me to let go of my pride,
to be humble in my observance of Lent.
I want only to love the way you ask me to love,
to live the way you ask me to live.
I ask this through your Son, Jesus,
who stands at my side
today and always.

Amen.