Category Archives: Lent 2024

Dear God, I was listening to a podcast yesterday that talked about the “gift of disillusionment.” Usually, I think of disillusionment as a negative thing, but the person being interviewed pointed out that it is actually the act of believing the illusion that is bad and being disillusioned can be good. The problem is that when we become disillusioned there is usually anger, hurt, and sorrow–mourning–that accompanies it and, if I don’t deal with it correctly, it can leave a hole in me. Several years ago, I went through a disillusionment process with parenting. I knew that I couldn’t control how things would go with my children, but at some level I believed if I followed the right formula I would be protected at some level. I was talking about it with a pastor friend one time and he told me, “It’s hard when we are disappointed in God.” Yes! That was it. Disappointed in you. I had an illusion of what life as a dad would be if I followed you faithfully and did the best I could with my children, but then it didn’t work out the way I hoped, and the truth of who you are and the reality of what you don’t do to override free will became clear. Thankfully, I was able to heal from this, although I still have some sorry, hurt, and anger.

So here are today’s passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer:

• AM Psalm: 88
• PM Psalms: 91, 92
• Jeremiah 11:1-8, 14-20
• John 8:33-47
• Romans: 6:1-11

Psalm 88 – Speaking of becoming disillusioned. the Sons of Korah here are really feeling it. They feel abandoned by you. They feel like you have heaped misfortune upon them. I can feel their pain. I can relate to their pain. I can also, now that I’ve come through the other side of some pain and worked with you through it, realize that their assignment of these things to you is in error. You didn’t do this. You didn’t fail them. You were with them, even as they wrote that psalm.

Psalms 91, 92 – So Psalm 91 seems to be part of the illusion. I hope it’s not blasphemous for me to say that. But I just don’t believe this line (and the others like it): “If you make the Most High your dwelling–even the LORD, who is my refuge–then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.” I heard one time that Jimmy Stewart was inspired by the psalm as he served on a bomber in World War II. I’m sorry, but I think the protection you give me is on an eternal scale, but not necessarily what I would want for my earthly life. Yes, I give you credit for all the good in my life. I thank you for it. But part of my disillusionment is I no longer expect you to save me from the rain. I’m just looking for you to comfort me when the rain falls. To that end, Psalm 92 makes a lot more sense to me.

Jeremiah 11:1-8, 14-20 – Following my disillusion theme, Jeremiah certainly got disillusioned of the idea that he had the right to a happy, peaceful, fruitful earthly life by following you. You had a tough row for him to hoe. You needed him and he gave himself up to you. The other thing I notice relates to Christian Nationalism in our own country right now. Christians, in my opinion, are making an idol out of governmental entities and expecting them to do the work that Christians should be doing at the grassroots level. But Israel had all of the laws from the government. What they didn’t have were the hearts. You were calling for the Israelites to repent as individuals, not as a government. I saw an interview about some people trying to make moral movies outside of the Hollywood system because of it’s liberal bent, but even when they talk of Hollywood they don’t speak out of Christian love and concern for them. It’s “us against them.” It makes me so sad that your church has lost its love for the lost. Instead, the lost are our enemies and they must be subdued through strength, power, and force. It breaks my heart.

John 8:33-47 – There is a lot here about Jesus being who he said he was. I’ve said before that, for John’s Gospel, you have to believe the first 15 verses of chapter one. If you don’t, then Jesus is either a lunatic or a liar. But if those first 15 verses are true, then he is, indeed, who he says he is. Jesus, I’m cheating because I have 2,000 years of history to use as well as well-organized Scripture to read and good teaching to learn from, but I nonetheless believe you are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

Romans 6:1-11 – I’ll admit that doing this Lenten focus on spending the extra time with you every single day over the last three and a half weeks has made a difference in me. I’ve responded to some hard things differently than I have in the past. The vices with which I struggle seem far away. I’m grateful that I am not a slave to sin because you, the Son, have set me free from it. I know I still sin. I will sin today. But there is still a freedom you give me that enables me to share love with others.

Father, I offer you this day. Live through me. Love through me. Speak through me. And teach me. Correct me. Guide me. Use your Holy Spirit to form me into the man you need me to be.

I offer all of this to you in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen

Dear God, I have two coworkers who might be delivering babies today. One I know is. The other I’m not sure. We’ve prayed for them. I’ve prayed for them. I lift them up to you now. Be with these babies, their parents, and everyone involved in their lives. And help our work to know how to work around their absence while they are out with their babies for these first several weeks.

Here are today’s passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer:

• AM Psalms: 42, 43
• PM Psalms: 85, 86
• Jeremiah 10:11-24
• John 8:21-32
• Romans 5:12-21

Psalms 42, 43 – “Why are you downcast, O my soul? why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” These words were in both of these psalms, and I appreciate them. I woke up this morning a bit troubled. Could be some frustrations from work. Could be frustrations with a family thing. And I wish it was as easy as turning the switch that the Sons of Korah encourage here. I do put my hope in you, but I also mourn and have sorrow. But as I go into this day, help me to remember at each moment for whom I am living. I am living for you, O God.

Psalms 85, 86 – Psalm 85 is a lot about looking to be restored to you like previous generations were restored to you. David wrote Psalm 86, and I think it is refreshing to see him publish his insecurities and frustrations for all to see. Someone was once reading the prayer journals I write here and asked if I was okay. I told them that I really was, and to try writing down their own prayers. They will be amazed at what comes out. It’s actually very therapeutic. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for being with me up close and personal in these times, encouraging me and guiding me. Comforting me.

Jeremiah 10:11-24 – A lot of this is about the coming exile for Judah and the collapse of everything. But Jeremiah’s prayer at the end captures my attention: “I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me, LORD, but only with justice–not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.” I am truly at your mercy, LORD. I have greatly sinned. In my thoughts and in my words. In what I have done and what I have failed to do. Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Have mercy on me, O LORD.

John 8:21-32 – Reading this passage, Father, just confirms to me that I would not have had time for Jesus in my life had I been alive and around him at that time. I’m sorry for that. He is a stone that would have made me stumble; a rock that would have made me fall.

Romans 5:12-21 – This just reminds me why I’m here and doing this for Lent. I am feeling my sin. I am feeling the depths of my depravity. But I am also being reminded that this is the reason you came, Jesus. You came, lived, taught, prayed for me, died, and then were resurrected for the depths of my sin.

Father, I have victory in Jesus, my Savior forever. Thank you.

I offer all of myself, including this prayer, to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

Dear God, I now have two friends I’ve talked with this week who are experiencing marital difficulties. I know I mentioned one of them yesterday. I texted with a second last night. Life is hard, and our human frailty makes it harder. Help me to be what you need me to be for my wife. I was listening to a podcast yesterday that talked about strained relationships with adult children. And while I can appreciate and relate to that, how many more have strained marriages or are divorced. Oh, Jesus, we need your healing. Oh, Holy Spirit, we need your counsel and your comfort. Oh, Father, we need your love and acceptance. Thank you for making all of that available to us.

Here are the verses for today from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

• AM Psalm: 119:97-120
• PM Psalms: 81, 82
• Jeremiah 8:18-9:6
• John 8:12-20
• Romans 5:1-11

Psalm 119:97-120 – As I think about the author of this psalm, I wonder about what parts of scripture he (assuming it was a “he”) had available to him at this time. The books of Moses? Maybe Joshua and Judges. Job? Probably not Ruth or 1 & 2 Samuel. So much of what he knew of you was “law.” And he loved you so that’s what he meditated on. Your law. That’s how he entered into knowing you. By knowing what you wanted from/for him. How do I enter into knowing you? Fortunately, I have a much more complete picture of you because I have both the Old and New Testaments. I have the advantage of learning lessons–paradigm-shifting lessons–Jesus taught.

Jeremiah 8:18-9:6 – “My sorrow is beyond healing, My heart is faint within me!” This is the translation from the New American Standard and pretty close to the New Living Translation. I’ve been using the NIV for this Lenten season, but it had a note that the meaning of the original Hebrew was vague for the very beginning. It translated verse 18 as, “O my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me!” I like calling you my “Comforter in sorrow.” I need to remember that.

John 8:12-20 – The Pharisees had a lot of problems and things wrong with them, but I sympathize with their situation. How were they to know? I certainly wouldn’t have known. But they were also very focused on maintaining their cultural structures. They needed to maintain the influence they had and the standing Judaism had within the current world order of Rome being in charge. Jesus was bothering that construct as well and their ability to see him for who he was ended up being tainted by their desires for self-preservation.

Romans 5:1-11 – Jesus, my reconciler with the Father, thank you!

Father, I am so grateful to be able to be here this morning, worshipping you, meditating on the words that have come through the efforts of so many people starting with those who originally wrote them. I am grateful for the redemption of my soul through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. I am grateful for the laws you gave us so that we might have a chance at the fruits of your Spirit growing in our souls. I am grateful for my wife, my children, my job, my friends, my coworkers, my community, my state, my country, and this world. I am grateful that you meet with me here this morning, your Holy Spirit possessing me and loving me. I offer all that I am to you.

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

Amen

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

Dear God, I want to start by saying thank you. I was carrying some significant weight on my shoulders yesterday morning, and I was praying hard. I know my wife and a couple others were praying for me and the situation as well. It was one of those times when I could feel you answering my prayers. I could feel the Holy Spirit supporting and guiding me. I needed you and you were there. Thank you.

As I start this 15th day of Lent and read the passages prescribed in Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer, I also want to thank you for this journey. I remember the message I was getting during the first week was “wait.” I have some things in my life that still vex me and cause sorrow. I would love to have them resolved now. But the word I get is “wait.” Okay, but I’m still going to bring them to you on a daily basis. I’m going to trust in your timing.

Here are the passages Sacred Invitation has for today:

• AM Psalm: 72
• PM Psalm: 119:73-96
• Jeremiah 3:6-8
• John 5:1-18
• Romans 1:28-2:11

Psalm 72 – This is one of those psalms I don’t particularly like or agree with, but there are some interesting things about it. First, Solomon wrote it. I don’t read psalms Solomon wrote very often. I can’t remember how many of the 150 psalms recorded here were written by Solomon. Second, is he writing this as his father dies? It starts with, “Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness.” Now he could be referring to himself as both the king and the son, but then the last verse says, “This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.” So this is in interesting context to put all of these other words in. I don’t know what it’s like to feel the pressures of a national leader like a king, so it is hard for me to pray about my enemies licking the dust, but perhaps the view is different from that vantage point.

Jeremiah 3:6-8 – When I read this passage I think about Christian nationalism and how someone with that perspective would take these verses and say, “See, we need to call this nation back to God like Jeremiah had to do.” And I don’t disagree with that statement. I think it’s the tactic that bothers me. The church should not take over the government and mandate Christianity or Christian principles. It has to come from the bottom. The grassroots. It has to come through prayer, service, persuasion, and suffering. Not top-down power. Top-down power will only drive people away and leave Christians worshipping the idol of political power instead of you.

John 5:1-18 – I want to take a little bit different tack on this story. Law vs. persuasion. I just mentioned this with Jeremiah, but now I have it here in this story. “…the Jews said to the man who had been healed, ‘It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.'” Admonishing through the law. Judging without knowing the situation. There is nothing of you in these words. Jesus, however, said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” Persuasion. He healed him (before any admonishment or forgiveness of sin) and then told him to stop sinning. Love and context vs. judgment and legalism.

Romans 1:28-2:11 – Judgment of others seems to be the theme this morning. Talking about the evil things we do and then judge others for doing. How much does our judging of others only feed the darkness in my own heart. “Be curious, not judgmental.” A quote unverifiably attributed to Walt Whitman. It’s a good one nonetheless.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I am here for you today. Please help me to walk in you. Help me to be curious and not judgmental. Help me to represent you in the world around me so that your glory might shine everywhere.

I offer this to you in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen