Dear God, I was thinking about the confining nature of how I’ve been doing my prayer journals over the last 42 days by focusing on just the passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer. And I have no regrets in doing this. It’s been good. But I’ve also found it’s been a little stifling as I come across other things such as podcasts, books, or songs that I would have normally prayed about. Then it occurred to me that I could always do more than one prayer journal a day. I don’t only have to do these in the morning. Hmm. Once again, I am my own greatest limiter when it comes to the experiences I bring into my life that might draw me closer to you.

With that said, here are today’s passages:

• AM Psalm: 6
• PM Psalm: 94
• Jeremiah 15:10-21
• John 12:20-26
• Philippians 3:15-21

Psalm 6 – Because of other factors in my life, it seems like I have been a bit more sorrowful during the Lenten season. I’ve normally really felt some of these lament psalms when I read them. But this morning, it’s not where my heart is. I feel energized. I feel hopeful. I feel like I’m more on top of things and the water is more around my knees or waist than it is up to my neck. For that, I’m grateful. I know sorrow will return at some point. Maybe even tomorrow. But right now, I am feeling a lot of joy as I sit here and commune with you.

Psalm 94 – I honestly don’t like most of this psalm, but I do like verses 18 and 19. They feel like what I was just talking about with Psalm 6: When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Thank you.

Jeremiah 15:10-21 – This passage just makes me think of the unfortunate life Jeremiah lived in service to you. Now, I don’t know what his life would have been like had he denied you and lived for only himself, but the road you had for him to walk was a difficult one. I feel unbelievably fortunate my road, while certainly sometimes very painful, is so much easier than his. My calling a bit sweeter to the taste and softer to the touch. I guess my prayer here would be that you not allow me to get lulled to sleep in my comfort.

John 12:20-26 – While all of the people in Jerusalem that day were seeing celebrity that they wanted to be close to, Jesus was experiencing everything on a whole different level. He understood what they didn’t–what they couldn’t. He knew he was about to suffer terribly. I’m sure the celebrity he had annoyed him as the disciples brought a request for some Greek people who wanted to see him.

Philippians 3:15-21 – Verses 15 and 16: All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. This makes me think of some of the real differences American Christians have with each other. Help your truth to come to light. Help us to see the world with your eyes. Help us to be very clear. Let everyone who calls on your name be united in you so that we might exhibit the fruits of your Holy Spirit to the world and that the world might come to know and worship you.

I pray all of this in Jesus Christ and everything he did during his life, this Passion week, and his resurrection, and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen