Lent

During Lent we reflect on our need for God’s grace and mercy and we commit ourselves to growth in holiness and wisdom.

Remembering we are dust and to dust we shall return, we turn from our waywardness to cultivate Christwardness.
What is it that we seek?
We seek God’s way in the wilderness.
Let’s seek with all our deciding
Amen. God be our wisdom.
Let’s seek with all our affections
Amen. God be our centre
Let’s seek with all our attitudes
Amen. God be our vision.
Let’s seek with all our resources
Amen. God be our mainstay.

Tested and tempted in the desert, scripture revealed and steered Jesus’ resistance and direction. May we learn and inwardly digest the Wisdom of God we hear.
Let us attend!
Psalm[s] and reading[s]. There may be a time of quiet and/or shared reflection. A framework for reflection, using the pattern of the Lord’s prayer may be used.
Jesus call us to faith in Him.
….pause for reflection
Lord, we believe,
help us in our unbelief.

The Song of Christ’s Glory (or some other canticle can be chosen)
Though in the form of God,
Christ did not regard equality with God
as something to be held.
He emptied himself,
taking on the form of a slave.
Jesus was born in human likeness;
and found in human form.
He humbled himself
and was obedient into death—
even death on a cross.
Therefore God highly exalted him
giving him the name above every name.
So at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
[From Philippians 2]

We will give God thanks:
You are our help and our God.
You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast faithful love. You seek us out in the darkness of our sin, and exchange beauty of reconciliation for the ashes of our rebellion.
…other appreciations of God may be added.
Our God in heaven, father and mother to us;
Hallowed be your name.

We have been led into deserts of dried-up meaning and conflicting desires. We petition for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, that they may be filled
God fulfil your purpose for us:
Send from heaven and save us.
We find ourselves in a world of precarity and danger, we cry out for the vulnerable and marginalised that they may find respite and dignity.
God fulfil your purpose for us:
Send from heaven and save us.
In a world replete with prideful powers and vaunting ambition, we remember before God those who make decisions affecting the lives of others that they may grow in wisdom and compassion.
God fulfil your purpose for us:
Send from heaven and save us.
In a world needing the ministry of angels in many guises, some unawares, we lay out the needs and concerns known to us.
Further concerns may be voiced here.
God fulfil your purpose for us:
Send from heaven and save us.
In a world where there is bread enough for all, we bring before you those who do not have and pray for the will and means of supply, globally and locally
God fulfil your purpose for us:
Send from heaven and save us.

Seeking first your kingdom & righteousness may all things needful be added to us.
Prayers for needs may be voiced….
You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
We recognise ourselves in the fractured and frail failures of the stories of God’s people. and we pause to reorient ourselves towards love of God and neighbour.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.
Our love has been as the morning mist, as the dew that goes early away.
God be gracious;
Lord, have mercy
Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth
Our love has been as the morning mist, as the dew that goes early away.
God be gracious;
Lord, have mercy
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Our love has been as the morning mist, as the dew that goes early away.
God be gracious;
Lord, have mercy.
[Cf. 1 Cor 13:4-7; Hosea 13:3)
O Soul be joyful; our merciful God stretches out a loving hand to you.
…
Make us instruments of your peace:
and let your glory be over all the earth.
…pause to reflect on the coming day…
Tempted to breaden stones:
May your Word give us life.
Tested by intimations of invincibility:
Make us wise in your ways.
Trialled by the seductions of power:
Keep us true to you.

Return to Navigation. Next season: Passiontide.

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