Week 2

Fast·Pray·Give
Week 2

Pastor's Peace

Grace to you and peace, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Well, we are on our way in the second week of Lent. How is your journey going?  My confession is that I did well on “Fast” and great on the “Give” but, not so well on “Pray.”

I did okay with my ordinary “prayer” life but, I set as a goal “to set aside 30 minutes a day for intercessory prayer.”  What I found was that I wanted to rush through the prayers…and, I found it hard to be centered, fully.  And, one day, I didn’t even try.

 

The only thing that I know to do is to try to be better this week… I think that what is at the heart of Lent is to build on what you can do and increase it in strength. The key: the strength does not come from me.

Blessing for the Way,

Rev. Tracy 

The source for this liturgy is Feasting On The Word: Liturgies for Year C, Worship Companion.

**********************************

Invitation to Lenten Discipline

Top Ten List: THINGS YOU CAN TRY FOR THE LENTEN SEASON

10. Try an electronic fast. Give up TV, Guitar Hero, texting, tweeting, e-mail and all things electronic for one day every week. (or everyday of Lent!) Use the time to read & pray.

9. Start a prayer rhythm. Say a prayer every time you brush your teeth, hear an ambulance, or check your e-mail. Before you text someone, pray for them.

8. Read one chapter in the Bible each day. (Matthew's a good book to start with. Psalms, too.)

7. Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it (maybe even yourself.)

6. Give up soft drinks, fast food, tea or coffee. Give the money you save to help folks in Haiti or others in crisis.

5. Create a daily quiet time. Spend 30 minutes a day in silence and prayer.

4. Cultivate a life of gratitude. Write someone a thank you letter each week and be aware of how many people have helped you along the way.

3. Be kind to someone each day.

2. Pray for others you see as you walk to and from classes or drive to and from work.

1. Volunteer one hour or more each week with a local shelter, tutoring program, nursing home, prison ministry or a Habitat for Humanity project. (http://www.upperroom.org/lent101)

                                                  **********************************

Texts for Lent Week 2:

Texts for Lent Week 2:

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18                       Philippians 3:17-4:1

Psalm 27                                              Luke 13:13-35

                                                   **********************************
Prayers

Household Prayer: Morning

Dear God,

I do not know all of the challenges that face me this day,

but still I pray:if I should be tempted by desire for earthly gain,

remind me of my citizenship in heaven.

If I should be distracted by hunger,

satisfy me with your Holy Spirit until I hunger no more.

Let me walk in the way of Christ so that my life testifies in deed and word,

“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” Amen.

Household Prayer: Evening

Dear God,

great is your mercy to me,

even when I have not remembered you.

Where I have strayed from your path,

forgive my sins and show me the way to salvation.

Grant me rest this night that I may rise refreshed in my commitment

to the way of my Lord, Jesus Christ,

in whose name I pray. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

In peace let us pray to the Lord saying,

Lord have mercy.

For the church throughout the world,

that all who bear the name of Christ

may find true repentance for their sins

and walk in the ways of peace,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the nations of the world,

wherever there is poverty, war, or oppression of human spirit,

that all people may repent of the evil they do to one another,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the planet Earth, God’s gift to humankind, that we repent of selfish or thoughtless exploitation and tend it with care so that all may share justly in its bounty,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the leaders of the nations,

that they may work for the common good of all people and repent of arrogant nationalism,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For our enemies, that we may learn to love them with regard for God’s compassion, forgiving wrongs and seeking reconciliation,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For those who are sick or in trouble,

for the defenseless, the weak, and the poor, that they may find help in their time of need, and that the church may heed their cry,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Loving God,

hear the prayers of your people for the sake of our world.

With our prayers, accept the dedication of our lives that we may minister to the world in the name of Jesus, through whom we pray. Amen.

For your Reflection

In Luke 13:35 Jesus says, “And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’” To what sort of “seeing” does Jesus refer? Is Jesus calling for more than a verbal declaration that he is the Messiah? How might I live so that I become a testimony that Jesus is truly the one who comes in the name of God