PRAYER FOR LENT (Day 37)

Matthew 27:27-44

There were so many people in Jerusalem that day.

Authorities abusing authority.

A pilgrim caught in “the wrong place and the wrong time” and forced to pick up the bloodied cross of a “criminal” on his way to the execution site.

Gambling while death lurks.

Keeping watch over you, as if someone would come along and take you down. They couldn’t help no matter how badly they wanted to.

Mocking. Were your wounds, your blood not enough? Do they have to throw insults too? Is there no mercy – not even an ounce of pity?

My Lord, I cannot begin to appreciate the tremendous cost you paid for my sins; to give me life.

To give the world you love, life.

I give what is mine to give in response to your love and sacrifice –

me.

You gave me the ‘right’ to choose what I do with me so I give me to you.

It is all I have but it’s yours – to use – to send – to take as you wish.

You bought me with your blood; bought back what was stolen in the first place.

Yes, I’m yours.

It’s the least I can do.

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PRAYER FOR LENT (DAY 36)

John 19:1-16

Lord Jesus,

I am always appalled at the injustice and cruelty imposed on you. Innocent but made guilty. The human heart can be so dark, so deceiving and frightening. We can go to some very dark places. We’re not fully aware of how far we can go when we are focused on self-interest. It should alarm me when “I” matter more than anything else…

…more than you.

I will guard my heart today from selfishness.

It is ironic that the leading Roman governor feared – entertained the thought – that the Son of God was before him – while the religious community who knew the scrolls and were aware of the signs to look for – couldn’t see it.

Or didn’t want to see it.

Which is worse – blindness or artificial ignorance?

Both destroy the human soul so that our mind, emotions and will are completely consumed with the vile, the base, the dark … second best. No, not even second best … worse than that.

Father, your love for us goes deep. Deeper than we can understand. I can’t comprehend the depth of what this meant for you, your choice to go to the extremist possible option to fix what was broken; to take back what was taken from you. To love what is unlovely.

I intend to live today to demonstrate my appreciation for Your sacrifice. I can’t work for salvation, I know that. I can’t earn Your love, I know I have that regardless. But I want to show my appreciation to You by behaving as one who appreciates what You’ve done.

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PRAYER FOR LENT (Day 35)

John 18:19-40

Holy Father,

The story continues – betrayal, injustice, hatred, fear, denial and aggression. Where am I in the story? I know I hate the injustice imposed against. I don’t want you to go to the cross but I know if you don’t there’s no hope for me. You must go.

I’ll say one thing for Peter. He followed from a distance but at least he followed. That would change but for now, it’s something. I ask you to touch our lives so we’ll move out the shadows, stop following from a distance and come to the open ground of admission and testimony.

You hid nothing. Truth in every step and in every word. It is what it is and what happens will happen. Even if we attempt political correctness it doesn’t change Truth. It denies Him. Denies You. Yeah, maybe I’m guilty of denial, maybe that’s where I am in the story.

How quickly we’ll give up life for lies; give up Christ for ceremonial cleanness. Ceremony; rubbish when Truth is compromised, when Christ is denied and unheard, disregarded.

Plant your Spirit deep within me. Really. Come to be with overwhelming power and Kingship. I want you to rule.

“O drive thy foes from out my soul, Whate’er it cost, howe’er I bleed!” (William Booth)

To the glory of your name I pray.

Amen!

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