Prayers and Reflections

Our Lent starts with Ash Wednesday
An Ash cross is drawn of our foreheads
“Remember you are dust,
and to dust you shall return.”
Thus, we start our Lenten journey with Jesus.

For his last few months, we not only walk, but we live with Jesus
A walk of conversations, friendship
sharing, learning, and love.
A walk to Jerusalem
A walk to Golgotha and Death on the Cross
We stand at the foot of the cross looking up as Jesus dies,

Our mouths are filled with Ashes
For three days we are in mourning
Sackcloth, ashes, and darkness
Then, as the Sun rises on the third day
Light returns, Jesus arises.
Our ashes turn to Joy.

Let Lent be a model for our life.
As we strive to follow in Jesus’ footsteps
Carrying our Cross trying to walk ever closer to Jesus.
When our time has come, we will not need ashes or mourning.
We will reach out to our friend, our Lord and Savior,
And continue our walk following Jesus to eternal life.
Amen

Heavenly Father
We try our best to navigate our life.
It does not matter if we are
Rich or poor
Strong or weak
Happy or sad.
The ultimate truth is
that we cannot save ourselves.
You are there with us during this voyage,
Ready to help… if we but ask.
Lord, strengthen our faith
so that we have the good sense
to ask for your help sooner rather
than later when we are in dire straits.
Not only are you the beacon that lights
our way through life’s treacherous waters,
But your word can calm the darkest storm
So that we may be still, and filled with your divine peace.
Amen.

A little over 2000 years ago,
the world was a dark, bleak place.
A place of misery, torment, and despair.
We were blind, lost, and imprisoned.
Yet you gave us an indescribable gift
your son, Jesus Christ, our redeemer.

2020 has been a dark, bleak miserable year.
Greed, hatred, and violence are still rampant.
But now a pale horse has come and gone viral.
We’re captives in our homes, isolated from all.
We are lost…losing jobs, loved ones, and even hope.

We cry out to you Most High Glorious God,
Please have mercy upon your children.
Have mercy upon those who have died,
and carry them to heaven.
Have mercy upon those who are sick
and bring them back to the fullness of health.
Have mercy upon all affected by this pandemic
and bless each according to their needs as best for them.

O Lord my God,
Please stop this pandemic
and release us from this Covid prison.
For you are the light of the world that
opens our eyes to the path of salvation.
Your radiant presence fills our hearts with peace.
You are the source of faith, hope and love.
And in these trying times, you give us hope,
not just for a return to our normal lives.
But a hope for a future where our
world is full light, love, and joy.
A future where your gift to the world
is to lead everyone to eternal life.
Amen.

We’re born with hearts that have a piece missing.
Profound emptiness that’s never ending
Seeking, searching, trying anything to fill
Unable to stop, overcoming our will

Pleasure, people, power, things without end
Nothing works no matter how much we spend
An endless hunger that we only feed
Our lives centered upon this boundless need

What is the missing piece? What do we lack?
The answer is our origin, we must go back
Born flesh and blood, but spiritual too
Body and soul, each with needs to pursue

If you seek of this world and cannot find
Look beyond this world with heart and mind
Like seeks like. Our soul seeks God’s divine love
Stop looking down. Raise your eyes and seek above

Knock, the door will open. Seek and you’ll find
the missing peace that fills both heart and mind.
God’s love will mend your heart making you whole
Nourishing your spirit, healing your soul