Prayer Tip: Five Days Before the Crucifixion
Daily Scripture
Luke 19:35-38 (CEB) and 22:24-27 (NRSV)
They brought [the colt] to Jesus, threw their clothes on the colt, and lifted Jesus onto it. As Jesus rode along, they spread their clothes on the road. As Jesus approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole throng of his disciples began rejoicing. They praised God with a loud voice because of all the mighty things they had seen. They said, “Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.” [At the Last Supper] a dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves
Prayer Tip
by Ashly Cooley, Executive Assistant to Locations & Care at Resurrection
Luke 17:4: “Even if someone sins against you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times and says, ‘I am changing my ways,’ you must forgive that person.”
Jesus calls us to forgive in Luke 17:4. Actually, Jesus calls us to forgive over and over again. Forgiveness can be challenging. On one hand, sometimes I say I forgive someone just because I want it to be over and move on. Then later, I am still feeling bitter because I didn’t do the “Actual” work of forgiving them. Other times the grievances have been so big I don’t know how I could forgive them, and it feels like an overwhelming task.
Luckily, overwhelming tasks are best met by pairing up alongside Jesus. We can ask for Jesus to help and guide us in our forgiveness through prayer. Below are some prayers that may be helpful to you as you work to forgive others.
Loving, generous, and ever-forgiving God: we thank you for the gift of forgiveness, for what you give to us from yourself, and for what you enable us to offer to others. Help us remember that we are all in need of your grace. Please forgive what we cannot yet do ourselves, and for the forgiveness we have chosen to withhold. You have equipped us to offer forgiveness to others as generously as you give it to us. May we live into the more frequent use of that gift. For we pray in the name of your embodied grace, Christ Jesus. Amen. –by Pastor Beckie Sweet *
God of all love and mercy, we ask for your assistance today in helping us find and offer forgiveness. Though we are injured and struggle with anger and disappointment, we know all too well the harm done by ongoing conflict. Help us better understand what hurt us and why we feel so deeply. Give us the courage and perspective to stand in the shoes of the one who has injured us. Remind us that forgiveness is the only way to find freedom from the pain and desire for revenge that can trap us. Provide the grace for us to extend forgiveness as an action of strength and hope, not weakness. We know, from your loving example, that forgiveness possesses a power far beyond our experience of suffering and being wronged. Inspire us, then, to reconcile and to bring peace to our relationships and society through the power of forgiveness. In your mercy, we pray. Amen. –by Dan Allen **
Loving God, thank you for giving us the gift of forgiveness for our sins and the gift of being able to forgive others. Forgiveness is a skill we will need to live harmoniously with others and have peace in our hearts. Guide as we seek to forgive others.
* From https://stpaulsithaca.org/2021/08/01/the-prayer-of-jesus-as-we-forgive/
** From https://grottonetwork.com/keep-the-faith/prayer/prayers-to-forgive-someone/
Lenten Guide for Children and Families
Click Here to download this weeks Lenten Guide.
The Lenten Guide is a tool to encourage families to spend time together in prayer, conversations, and discovery. Make time on Sunday afternoons or an evening at the dinner table each week as we approach the hope of Easter. Consider using the following tips/guidelines as you share this time:
- Commit to being in worship together as a family during Lent.
- Read the Scripture aloud (and invite your child to read if they are old enough to do so)
- Take turns leading the prayer time
- Be curious and listen for God through one another!
Music
Click Here or the image below to watch COR Worship Collective’s new song “The Church’s One Foundation”
