Greetings Prayer Warriors,
Lent has begun and some of you have already decided what you are going to give up or step up to do. Others perhaps are still struggling with what they should do for Lent. In prayer and in quiet, ask the Lord what He would like you to offer him. If you have the courage! ;-)
Oracle of the LORD—Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment.
I am compelled to meditate on the “return to me” and “rend your hearts”. Perhaps through prayerful contemplation, we may uncover wanderings we never considered. A hyper-focus on self? Inflated pride? Inappropriate thoughts? A failure to act? Harsh words about others? A heart hardened, in anger, resentment, and stubbornness? With a deep dive, we may even uncover life-long sins that we minimize and explain away. Lent is the perfect time to rend our hearts, that they may be cleansed through God’s mercy and opened to His grace.
Spend time with the Lord by reading scripture, especially meditating on Jesus’ earthly ministry up through his Passion. How did he interact with others? What words did he use? What was his temperament? Continue to ask yourself these types of questions so that along with prayers, fasting, and almsgiving you can slowly conform your life to His.
Imitating Christ, is the loudest prayer to the Lord and the most powerful witness to your family.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16
Let us continue to lift each other up in prayer, for the journey is arduous, but well worth the effort!
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
We journey together, always! Pass it on!
