Daily Prayer - Half way there ...

Good Monday morning, my friends.

 

We are at the half-way point of Lent.  How is it going so far for you?  Are you fasting and praying?  Have you even considered it?  It is never too late to start ... or to recommit.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Good morning, good God!

 

So, Lent’s half over

and Easter's only three weeks away...

 

I should be at least half-prepared,

half-ready to celebrate Easter

-- but I’m not...

 

Beginning on Ash Wednesday I was doing pretty well,

right up 'til, oh,

maybe the First Sunday of Lent:

I know, Lord, that was only 4 days!

 

So, I offer you my sketchy record here

and ask you to forgive my unkept Lenten pledges…

 

I offer you my lack of self-discipline,

recognizing how I excuse myself so easily…

 

I offer you my flimsy promises,

made with firm intentions but failing in the follow-through…

 

I offer you my laziness, hoping you'll forgive me

and accept my renewed pledge to pray more often,

to sacrifice and reach out to the poor…

 

Such is my offering, Lord: 

help me depend and lean on you 

and not try to do this all on my own…

 

Be with me, Lord,

and be my strength in every temptation,

especially when I'm tempted

to give up on Lent... 

 

When I put off prayer,

draw me to a quiet place and sit me down to be with you,

to speak with you, to rest in your presence…

 

When I’m tempted to indulge myself 

on what I’ve given up for Lent, 

remind me of my pledge and the reason for it:

to empty out my fullness, to learn a hunger

for what truly feeds my mind and heart...

 

When I spend first on myself 

and consume more than my share or need:

show me how much I already have

and where and how I have too much 

and help me be more generous

with those who have little or nothing at all…

 

And if I’ve failed from the beginning

to pray and fast and sacrifice, 

let today be my “Ash Monday,” 

"day one" of Lent for me:

this is the day that you’ve made, Lord,

give me grace to grow in you...

 

And remind me, Lord,

that I don't walk the Lenten path alone: 

keep me kind and gentle 

with those whose paths cross mine

this day and through the week ahead...

 

Lord, I offer you my renewed Lenten pledge: 

I pray you'll strengthen my resolve, 

deepen my commitment

and keep me faithful to you

and my preparing for Easter

and the life and peace you offer me...

 

Amen.

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/03/monday-morning-offering-331.html)