Day 10 of Lent – Saturday

Daily Scriptures:

Deuteronomy 26:16-19 – Follow the LORD’s Commands

16 The LORD your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have declared this day that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in his ways, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws, and that you will obey him. 18 And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. 19 He has declared that he will set you in praise,⁴ fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.

Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8

1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.
4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!
7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.

Matthew 5:43-48 – Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Lenten Prayers:

Eternal Father,
turn our hearts to You.
By seeking Your kingdom
and loving one another,
may we become people who worship You
in spirit and truth.
 
Thank you for being faithful to us, even if we are not.
You call us to a new way of being –
loving others as we have been loved –
which includes loving those who do not love us.
Help us to be as pure in our love,
as You are pure in loving us.
 
For God so loved the world that
he gave His one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Intercessions

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, clothe us with compassion, kindness and humility,
– help us to be kind and patient with others.
Teach us to be true neighbors to all in trouble and distress,
– and so imitate you, the Good Samaritan.

Closing Prayer:

Loving God,
Sometimes my heart
turns in every direction
except towards You.
Please help me
to turn my heart toward You,
to gaze upon You in trust
and to seek Your kingdom with all of my heart.
Soften my hardened heart
so that I might love others
as a way to glorify and worship You.
Help me to follow the ever-present guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.