Rest
Jesus, I am stressed.
Help me to accept your invitation to come and receive the rest I need.
Help me to willingly release my fear, my worries, my agenda and my to-do list.
Ease the tension and replenish my body.
Silence the voices of doubt and speak your words of truth.
Remove the heaviness of my day and pour out abundantly into my life.
Fill me with your peace, joy and love.
Fill me until the overwhelm is consumed by your grace and my life reflects the beauty of resting in you.
Amen.
– Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Remember
Loving God, we thank you for your love and protection. We pray for all those who continue to suffer due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Dear Lord, only you can save us.
We pray for doctors, government workers and health professionals, that they take appropriate steps for the good of the people.
We pray for all scientists who are working to develop more effective and safe vaccines to combat this virus.
We pray for gig and hourly workers who must work despite dangerous conditions.
We pray for all loved ones who have died. May light perpetual shine upon them and may they may they find eternal peace in your kingdom.
We pray for all those who have had someone close to them die. May you wrap your arms around them and ease their pain of loss.
We commit the whole world, especially those affected by COVID-19, into your hands.
We ask this prayer in Jesus name. Amen.
– adapted from a prayer by Bishop Pradeep Samantaroy, Amritsar, North India
Repent
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
– The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 264
Restore
Lent should be more than a time of fasting.
It should also be a joyous season of feasting.
Lent is a time to fast from certain things and to feast on others.
It is a season to turn to God. May we:
Fast from judging others; feast on the goodness in them.
Fast from emphasis on difference; feast on unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on divine order.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that supports.
Amen.
– William Arthur Wald
