Lent is a period of 40 days before Easter when we prepare ourselves for Easter Sunday. It begins with Ash Wednesday through 6 Sundays leading to Easter Sunday. It is a traditional time to pause, reflect on where we are in our relationship with God. For some, this can involve fasting, praying, reading the Bible, or participating in a group study with friends. For others, it is a time to give up something, to make a small sacrifice in ones life. Perhaps watch less TV, give up chocolates, alcohol, or coffee. Some may even choose to go barefoot.
As we enter the season of Lent (22 Feb – 6 April) the Learning and Discipleship Portfolio has created daily reflection based on the Lectionary for the 40 days of Lent will be prepared by members of Manningham Uniting Church.
This little resource is intended for all ages, for use in family groups, alone, with a partner or with friends. It invites you to stop, say, at meal times, when you get up, when enjoying nature with a cuppa, or perhaps before bed.
We give thanks to those who helped compile and create this resource. Many thanks to Wendy, Greg, Tanya, Alison and Ken.
Forgive me Lord Jesus where I have forgotten the magnitude of your authority. Holy Spirit, help me obey Jesus’ command to share the fact that Jesus is the only appointed authority with the power to forgive and restore us to a right relationship with God.
Jesus, the Lord Christ, help me keep my attention on you, the source of my life and my redemption. May obedience become my genuine response to God’s give of grace, for I accept I cannot gain it on my own.
Thank you Jesus for overturning the status quo and taking my place on the cross. You suffered and died for my sake and the that of the whole world – past, present and future generations.
Jesus, wash me in your blood from head to toe, so I may live in unity with you. Teach me to share your message of redemption with those who are not yet cleansed.
Dear Lord
Forgive us when we deny our faith, when we relegate You to an hour on a Sunday, when we fail to prayerfully consider your word and when we willfully try to live our lives according to our will and not Yours
What a great sacrifice you gave to us in the form of your Word made flesh. When the Hebrews lost their way, you provided your Son as a guiding light. When we lose our way, Jesus is still there as a guiding light. We give praise to you that in your infinite wisdom and grace we are never forsaken. Amen
Dear Lord . Forgive me when I act without thought or care for other people. Forgive me when I selfishly think only of fulfilling my own wants and desires. Help me to treat each person I meet as my neighbour; as one loved by you.
Amen
Dear Lord. Help me to be a disciple for you. Help me live a life that shows others what it is to experience your grace. Help me not to be afraid to share your good news to those around me.
Amen
Dear Lord. Help us to remember that in all things You are there to guide us and challenge us. We pray that we can hear your voice even when we allow the world around us to drown out your message. Amen
Dear Lord.
We give praise and thanks for the good things you give us in this earthly life we live; hope, joy, peace and the greatest of these, love. Because we experience Your love for us we can then give love to others. Amen
Father God, at times our life becomes bound up in the past. It’s easy to live in our past, our safe place to go. Encourage us to pause and look to the future through the lens of Hope. Amen
Father God, we struggle with death and its finality. It is so difficult to let go. Encourage us to share with others our grief as expressions of our love for a life well lived. Amen
Father God, create in us a sensitive heart as we share the grief of others and that of ourselves. As we care for others, may we find peace in a God who loves us dearly. Amen
Father God, we become far too anxious about the future. Plant in us the seed of courage so we can live each day by faith in the hope that tomorrow will be a better place for all the peoples. Amen.
Father God, help us to live by the spirit, God’s gift of Hope to his people. May we live out this Hope with others we meet as we engage in the ordinary lives of friends and family. Amen
Insert prayer in herFather God, we give thanks for our families and a safe place to rest. We see the destructive force of torrential rains in different parts of the world. Move us to share what we have with those who have nothing. Amen
Lord please help us when we are spiritually blind, stuck in the ways we have known and blind to a belief and the grace that can free us to love and be loved as Jesus has shown us. Amen
Lord, please give us the eyes to see with clear vision as we think about your gifts and your messages to us. May we find your love and messages in our every day lives, and have the vision to notice. Help us to follow your leading and to focus on sharing your love with others. Amen