Prayers and Reflections

I came to deliver God’s good news, the truth
A light to push back against the darkness
Truth for all people, not just the chosen Jews
The light of the world to be God’s witness

The hands of the wicked deliver me
To the grasp of the unjust and cruel
Hatred and false testimony face me
All for power, while furthering evil

You placed a crown of thorns upon me
You beat me, mocked me and spit upon me
I stumbled toward death as you watched me
On my back, I carried my death with me

Your nails of death pierce through and hold me
My heart throbs, hard to breathe, my strength fails me
You stand ‘round staring, gloating over me
Like water streams, my blood pours out from me

I will try for you, I will die for you
Pain fills me as my skin is torn apart
I will try for you, I will die for you
Yet for you, love flows from my heart

My eyes grow dim, darkness covers the land
I’ll put aside my pride to die for you
I sacrificed my life, just as God planned
So I could redeem you, I died for YOU!

Jerusalem, O Jerusalem ancient Holy city
Seat of Kings, temple of God, Valley of Vision
Foundation of Peace, perfection of beauty
City of Passover where sacrificial lambs come.

The Star arrived entering Jerusalem from the east
Riding down a road of cloaks and palm leaves, fulfilling prophesy
All coming for the Passover sacrifice, from the highest to the least
Coming to Jerusalem as God commanded, fulfilling destiny

Your King, humble, and mounted on a donkey
Hosanna! Save [Us] Please! Hosanna to the Son of David!
Chanting crowds of ordinary people, seekers, not an army
Hosanna in the highest heaven, chants of love and hope, not hatred

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the King of Israel, wishes to Jesus they bid

Peace in Heaven and Glory in the highest heaven was his followers’ intent
Such was the Messiahs’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, a city of hypocrites
Triumphant with a backdrop of sorrow, grief, and lament.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets.

Jesus, our Messiah, obedient to God’s will
Fulfilling Passover, sacrificing your life for our redemption
Foreknowing your death, but your love and faith gives you strength of will
O Lord our God, our Savior, we owe you everything for our Salvation.

As we attempt to walk with you this Lenten season
We remember that you are in us, as we are in you.
Please deign to share our strength, and your pain, during your passion.
For we live with you, we die with you, and we arise with you.
Amen

Almighty God, heavenly Father
Please hear my plea
Have mercy and forgive me
Not on my merits or as I deserve
but with your love and grace so I may serve

Save me from my apathy
Save me from my vanity
Save me from isolation
Save me from desolation

I have lost my way
I have lost my way
But you save me
Won’t you save me, for I am crushed in spirit

Rescue me from my dark despair
Rescue me when I neglect prayer
Rescue me when I walk alone
Rescue me so I can atone

I have lost my way
I have lost my way
But you rescue me
Won’t you rescue me, holding me in the shadow of your wings

Deliver me from my lack of vision
Deliver me from my own prison
Deliver me from my enemy’s stealth
Deliver me from myself.
Deliver me from all evil
Deliver me from my will

I have lost my way
I have lost my way
But you deliver me
Won’t you deliver me, for you are my Lord and my God

Show me how to live
Show me how to forgive
Show me the beauty of your creation
Show me your gift of salvation
Show me how to love
Show me the path to heaven above
Amen

Abba, we did not mean to sin against you,
But we did it anyway.
Starting when we ate the fruit denied by you
Giving our paradise and righteousness away.

We rejected our God and demanded a King
You warned us, but we did it anyway
Manmade rules and the corruption they bring
Rejecting the divine for the secular way.

We lived our lives drawn away from the light
So, you sent your son to teach us what is true
A shepherd to find your sheep lost in the night
If we believe in your son, we’ll return to you.

We accepted silver for a kiss causing our Lord’s betrayal
And shouted votes to free Barabbas, wanting Jesus dead
Mocked, scourged, crucified, our words and actions are lethal
We’d have been better off spending all our gold for lead.

Two thousand years later and still many are lost
Without hope, empty hearts missing a piece deep inside
Seeking to fill this void, no matter the cost.
Trying anything new, extravagant, wasteful, lavish, or denied.

Worldly things cannot soothe this pain away
It is hard to exchange vanity for humility
But we need to do it anyway.
Our hearts are missing God, the ultimate reality.

We’re Prodigal children treating our inheritance as worthless
Father, we have sinned against you. Please give us lucidity
We need to pray and confess, for our salvation is priceless.
We were lost but found, dead but came to life for eternity.
Amen