Dear God, there is so much going on today. With my wife. With my children. With my job. With things outside of my job. This particular day is very full, and my heart is unsettled. Oh, Lord, help me to rest in you. Help me to mercifully love. Help me to keep no record of wrongs, but give the grace to others that you give to me. Help me to comfort. Help me to apologize appropriately. Help me to experience your peace and minister your peace. And help me to simply get the work done that is before me.

With that said, here are the passages you have for me today through Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

• AM Psalms: 70, 71
• PM Psalm: 74
• Jeremiah 4:9-10, 19-28
• John 5:19-29
• Romans 2:12-24

Psalms 70 and 71 – David had more enemies that I do. Sure, he was the king. People within the kingdom and outside of the kingdom were after him. Even before he was king, anyone who felt threatened by him made themselves his enemy. I’m grateful I don’t have enemies like this in my simple life. Not that I want to avoid enemies if I happen to have them because of my love for and service to you, but I’m grateful I haven’t had to draw that line too many times yet (although there are some who consider me their enemy).

Jeremiah 4:9-10, 19-28 – I have to tell you, these passages today are depressing me. Maybe it’s because there are a couple of issues on my heart that are really distressing me, but I am having difficulty reading these verses this morning. I am sorry that you have experienced and even allowed yourself to experience so much anguish as well. I know your people cause you anguish. I know I cause you anguish. What I feel right now is nothing compared with what you feel with our rejection and rebellion. I am sorry for any anguish I cause you.

John 5:19-29 – Jesus’s judgment is a scary thing. Not that I am scared. I am grateful for Jesus in my life. For the Holy Spirit. For you, Father. And I don’t totally understand how this all works out or where the “cut line” is between eternity with you and eternity without you. I don’t know what the afterlife looks like. But I know that Jesus was more frustrated on a day-to-day basis with the people in the church than he was with the people outside of the church. On the day of his crucifixion, he was likely more frustrated with Caiaphas than he was Pilate or Herod. That doesn’t mean that Pilate and Herod will make the cut. I don’t know how you will do that. But I do know that I am delighted to love and serve you because you bring light into darkness. And this is your world.

Romans 2:12-24 – Let no one blaspheme you because of my actions. Please keep me from that. I am sure I have done things that have caused others to reject you. I am sorry. I can think of one person in particular who seems to have rejected you because of me. Please heal that wound and help that person find you on a path that is completely separate from me.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen