Day 37 of Lent – Wednesday

Tomorrow we enter into the Easter Triduum – the last 3 days of Lent. I hope that this season of intentional prayer, fasting, and acts of kindness have provided you the opportunity to experience Easter is a new way and to refresh and deepen your relationship with God. Tomorrow we will be celebrating the day of the Lord’s Supper.

“Christians throughout history have fasted in preparation for the Lord’s Supper.
In addition to the elements of repentance and humility before God in this kind of fast,
it is also intended to help the person focus on adoring the One who is represented in the Supper.”
– Donald S. Whitney

As we finish the last few days of Lent, may we focus our hearts on adoring Christ – the One who gave us the gift of new life.

Daily Scriptures:

Isaiah 50:4-9a

4 The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. 5 The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back. 6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.

Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 33-34

8 I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother’s sons; 9 for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. 10 When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn;
21 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. 22 May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap.
33 The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. 34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them,

Matthew 26:14-25 – Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus / The Lord’s Supper

14 Then one of the Twelve–the one called Judas Iscariot–went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.”

Lenten Prayers:

Father,
thank you for your plan of salvation
in which your Son Jesus Christ accepted death
on the cross to free us from the power of the enemy.

The Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:28

Intercessions:

Blessed be God, the giver of salvation, who decreed that mankind should become a new creation in Himself, when all would be made new.
With great confidence let us ask Him:
Lord, renew us in your Spirit.

Lord, you promised a new heaven and a new earth; renew us daily through your Spirit,
– that we may enjoy your presence today and for all eternity.
Fill us with your Spirit so that we can be a light to the world,
– and to increase hope, love and peace in our communities.
Help us to not neglect our relationship with you,
– and give us joy in your generous gifts of grace.
Deliver us from sinful thoughts and deeds,
– and from slavery to our selfish desires, which blind us to true goodness.

Closing Prayer:

My Savior,
thank you for inviting me to share
in the glory of the resurrection.
Please help me to understand
that the same power that
raised Christ from the dead
will free me from the power of the enemy.
He only wants to destroy my love and trust in you.
Help me to be humble and accepting
of the power that you offer in my life.
I want to submit my life to you
with the same trust Jesus had in your love.

Amen.