Tag Archives: Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer

Dear God, I am ready to be here with you this morning. I asked my wife last night how Lent was going for her and she said that it had hit a bit of a dry spot. I replied that I kind of felt like I was in the dog days of it as well, but maybe that’s also part of the point. This was a haul for Jesus. The first 30 years, the final three years, and then the final couple of weeks leading up to it. It was hard, but it was also just a day after day kind of slog. Well, my life and this slog isn’t nearly what Jesus’s was, and I don’t have crucifixion waiting for me eight days from now, but this is a reminder that Jesus really gave himself to this whole experience so that I could learn from him and be redeemed into relationship with you.

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

• AM Psalms: 131, 132, 133
• PM Psalms: 140, 142
• Jeremiah 26:1-16
• John 10:19-42
• Romans 11:1-12

Psalms 131, 132, 133 – I think I want to focus on 131 and 133, and not just because they are the shortest two of the three. Psalm 131 is probably one I should read every day (Gasp! Maybe even memorize?): My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore. Yes, I should probably read that every day. And then Psalm 133 makes me think of the ministerial association meeting I am attending later today: How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. That is my prayer for our local ministerial association.

Psalms 140, 142 – While I don’t like all of the sentiments of Psalm 140, I do use this to pray for a friend I visited with yesterday. This friend has some people out there who are conspiring against them, speaking against them, and, just all in all, judging them for something they don’t really understand. So “rescue [them], O LORD, from evil men; protect [them] from men of violence, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.” But I also pray for those who are judging. Raise up people who will speak your truth to them. Give them love. Give them peace. I know they think they are doing to right thing. And maybe there is some rightness in what they believe, and maybe there is some wrongness in what I believe and my friend is doing, but I know that the current path is not of you.

Jeremiah 29:1-16 – This is quite a story as part of Jeremiah’s journey. What I really like about it was the part where Jeremiah just surrendered to the situation you put him in and said, basically, “Yeah, do what you will to me, but it won’t make me wrong and it will only make you more guilty than you already are.” Father, help me to surrender my life to you today. Give me the right ideas and words. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, but if there is something you need me to do please give me the courage to do it.

John 10:19-42 – As Jesus was walking this difficult path, he was having to confront those he knew he would not change. He knew going in that they didn’t believe in him. He knew they would try to kill him. And yet he went to tell them the truth. He might have also been setting up the anger towards him that ultimately led to his crucifixion, but he also just spoke the truth to him. And I don’t know where Nicodemus was during this interaction, but I know that he was at least one who believed. Maybe all of it was partly for him too.

Romans 11:1-12 – I think one thread through all of these stories from Jeremiah and John and what Paul is saying here is that there are so many of us who think we are so right, and yet we are so wrong. Please give me eyes to see where I am wrong. Give me a willingness to see where I am wrong. Help me, Father, to see your truth and see the world with your eyes, regardless of what it costs me.

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

Amen

Dear God, the funeral yesterday was lovely. My wife commented it was the best funeral sermon she’s ever heard. The main thrust of the comforting part of the message was that a few days before she died the pastor, who was the woman’s brother-in-law, asked her if there was anything she had to say. She had to go to a lot of effort to say the words, “It’s not fair.” Then the pastor related that emotion even to Jesus on the cross and his feeling of abandonment. This is a weird existence we have. And yeah, sometimes it doesn’t seem fair. But as we were told over and over again as children, even though none of us want to believe it, life isn’t fair.

Speaking of Jesus on the cross, let’s see what the passages are today from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

• AM Psalm: 119:145-176
• PM Psalms: 128, 129, 130
• Jeremiah 25:30-38
• John 10:1-18
• Romans 10:14-21

Psalm 119:145-176 – This psalm reminds me of the error I sometimes make that I can bargain with you. “God, if I do this will you do that?” That is a pretty Pagan, idolatrous way of looking at you. Like I can own you and bargain with you. Like you are somehow subject to my demands. Can I pray to you for outcomes? Of course. But the idea that, well, going back to the funeral yesterday, life should be fair at all–that I deserve whatever I deem fairness to be–is simply making you in a small god, and the God.

Psalms 128, 128, 130 – Of these three, 130 is my favorite. It’s not expecting or asking anything of you but mercy and forgiveness. I think the psalms of lament full of repentance and then the ones that are just pure worship are my favorite. Most of the others bother me a little theologically.

Jeremiah 25:30-38 – This is pretty grim prophecy. It’s no wonder the people of the time embraced the false prophets instead. In the end, I suppose, the run of the mill Jewish person didn’t need to know this prophecy except to ultimately learn that you were using this pain to call people back to you. At this point, there was nothing they could do to stop it. They just had to live their lives each day. Make a decision to worship you regardless of their circumstances. Father, help me to always worship you, regardless of my circumstances.

John 10:1-18 – Jesus, thank you. I still don’t totally understand the lines between praying to the Father, you, or the Holy Spirit, but I know that I am grateful you are my shepherd. I am grateful you love me with the Father’s love because you and the Father are one. I am grateful you teach me through what is recorded of your words and actions. I am grateful for your reconciliation between the Father and me. Between you and me. Between the Holy Spirit and me. Thank you for being my good shepherd.

Romans 10:14-21 – Verse 21 from Paul to the Romans is powerful: “But concerning Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient people.'” Thank you for continuing to hold out your hands to me.

I offer all of these thoughts and prayers to you in Jesus Christ, and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

Dear God, I have a funeral to attend today. It’s one of those where I know the husband pretty well, and while it will be hard and sad to say goodbye to his dear wife, it will be a privilege to be there for him and his children. Please live through me today, Father. Live through me today with my wife, with my work, with my children, and with my friends. “Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.”

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

• AM Psalms: 121, 122, 123
• PM Psalms: 124, 125, 126
• Jeremiah 25:8-17
• John 9:18-41
• Romans 10:1-13

Psalms 121, 122, 123 – I had two thoughts while I read these psalms this morning. The first was about a workshop I went to yesterday about mental health needs and resources in our community. Our children are struggling. Our children need help. Those who care for them need help. Their parents. Their teachers. Their church youth workers and Sunday school teachers. There is a lot of pain, and the church actually has the answer, but I fear that they American Evangelical church is offering the wrong answer right now. It is offering more rules. It’s not offering what Jesus taught us to offer. Oh, Father, help us offer you to them. Reconciliation to you. Freedom in you. And when I say them, I mean not only the children, but their parents, teachers, youth leaders, and Sunday school teachers.

My other through was from what David said in 122: “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.'” I just picture the scene of one of David’s friends, advisors, confidants, or whatever talking with him and saying, “Let’s go to the house of the LORD,” and David lighting up with that idea. It paints a great scene.

Psalms 124, 125, 126 – From this group, I am reminded of how you provide for me personally and the nonprofit where I work. One of our current campaigns is not going well, and there is a tendency in my heart to panic. But I have to ask myself the questions: Am I trusting in you in this moment? Have I taken too much credit for what has come before? Oh, Father, if I have taken any credit for the good you have done to our clinic, please let me know. If I am not trusting you enough, I am sorry. I do trust you, oh God. I repent of attaching my ego to our fundraising success. I am sorry.

Jeremiah 25:8-17 – As I was flipping through Jeremiah today and remembering how long the book is, it just made me think about this poor prophet’s life. There was no “best life now” for him except that he got to live in your presence and hear directly from you. But I would imagine that his daily check-in with friends on his emotional health would not have been filled with much good news. I am unbelievably fortunate to live the life I live.

John 9:18-41 – Reading the story of the blind man healed and the Pharisees being so upset about it makes me think about how all of us in the church can get focused on the wrong priorities–including me. Holy Spirit, please speak to me. Teach me. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see.

Romans 10:1-13 – I just have to reprint verses 1-4 here: Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. I seem to be coming back to this theme this morning. Perhaps it is my own biases that are bringing me here, but I am simply concerned about some in your church who are acting like Pharisees but can’t see it. Holy Spirit, help me to hear you clearly, repent where I need to repent and then act when I need to act. And let anything I do be done in your love.

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

Amen

Dear God, one thing I have NOT liked about going through this devotional book for the last 34 days is that it has taken away some of the flexibility in the approaches I sometimes take with these times with you. Like yesterday, we sang this lovely song in church. I took a picture of the page in the hymnal so I could remember it for later and look at it later. It’s the kind of thing I might have focused on this morning to help keep these times with you fresh. Now, as I’ve done this 34 days in a row and I have 13 days left I am finding myself not as enthusiastic as I was at the beginning of this seasonal commitment. But then again, maybe that’s also part of this journey. Getting beyond the emotion of it and pushing through. Finding you when my enthusiasm isn’t there. Disciplining myself to submit to you and hear from you.

Speaking of hearing from you, I think I heard from you this morning. I have a complicated thing to deal with from my work, and I felt like you gave me a word about that this morning. Thanks for that too.

With all of that said, here are the passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer. Please speak to me as I read them this morning:

• AM Psalm: 31
• PM Psalm: 35
• Jeremiah 24:1-10
• John 9:1-17
• Romans 9:19-33

Psalm 31 – What strikes me here is how down David could feel. I’ve said this before, but I’ve had people read my prayer journals and ask if I’m doing okay. What I tell them is I’m normally doing just fine, but some of this pain is inside me and it comes out through these prayers to you. It’s nice to be reminded that David himself, the most revered king in Israel’s history, felt this way often. I’m so impressed that he was vulnerable enough to share it in this way.

Psalm 35 – When I see these psalms of David where he is wishing ill on his enemies and claiming himself to be innocent, I am now experiencing them in a different way since I first discovered this concept a month ago. The concept is to think about David writing these words on behalf of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband whom he murdered. David was not alone in his life as a victim. And his abusers were not alone in their lives as abusers. We are all in both camps: abusers and victims. And when I say abuser, I’m not talking about child abuse, sexual abuse or things that are that heinous. I just mean people who sometimes either accidentally or intentionally cause harm to others. We all do that.

Jeremiah 24:1-10 – I would imagine the people being exiled were desperate in that moment. Downtrodden. Forlorn. But you were working it for their good. You were using it to refine them.

John 9:1-17 – It seems like Jesus did these things on the Sabbath intentionally. And maybe not. Maybe he healed so many people on the other six days it didn’t get mentioned, but the Sabbath healings always caused a stir. Either way, the Pharisees were split on who Jesus was. I would imagine Nicodemus was in the “Jesus is Messiah” camp. Your current church is split on so many issues. Oh, Holy Spirit, make us one. As Jesus and you and the Father are one.

Romans 9:19-33 – Paul’s words at the beginning of this passage, right after talking about you choosing to show your mercy to this one or that one, remind me of the lesson Job learned by the end of his story. Who am I to question you. You are God and I am not. They will be done.

I offer all of these prayers to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

Dear God, I’m working a little faster this morning so I’m going to jump right into the scriptures. I just want you to know really quick that I love you, I am grateful for you, I am humbled before you, and I am sorry for the times when my selfishness overrides everything else. Thank you for your love, grace, and mercy.

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

• AM Psalms: 102, 108
• PM Psalm: 33
• Jeremiah 23:9-15
• John 6:60-71
• Romans 9:1-18

Psalms 102, 108 – I like the juxtaposition of a psalm of lament and a psalm of worship. While I don’t feel lament in this moment, I have certainly felt it this week. It’s been a hard week. At the same time, I was worshipping you as well. Oh, keep me in a heart of worship, even in my times of lament.

Jeremiah 23:9-15 – Father, there are people in my community (not pastors) who I think are lying prophets, but I am not 100% sure I am right. Speak to me and inspire me, Holy Spirit. Speak to me and inspire me to do what you want me to do. Correct me when I’m wrong. Encourage me when I’m right. And always fill me with a spirit of your love. Let me always communicate love.

John 6:60-71 – Still finishing up the sifting of the disciples story. Jesus not only speaks of Judas in verse 70, but I think he is speaking to Judas. He knows Judas is struggling with what he just heard. He knows it’s bringing up anger and disappointment in him. Oh, Father, let me never be driven to sin out of my disappointment in you.

Romans 9:1-18 – There are parts of this passage that are hard to read. Oh, thank you for grafting my branch to your vine.

I offer this to you in Jesus’s name,

Amen

Dear God, there is something to be said for sisters. I was able to have a great visit with my sister yesterday to talk through some of the things with which I was struggling. It was good to have someone who has known me my whole life and has history with some of the things that were bothering me. I was very grateful to have her yesterday. Thank you for that relationship in my life.

One of the families I’ve been praying for where one of the spouses is sick had to be put on hospice yesterday. They expect her to pass by the end of the week. I’ll say that their son’s birthday is in a couple of days. Please don’t let it happen on his birthday. But comfort them. Love them. Knit them together. Strongly support her, her husband who adores her, and her children who love her. Oh, Holy Spirit, please be very present with them and pray to the Father for them.

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

• AM Psalms: 101, 109
• PM Psalm: 119:121-144
• Jeremiah 18:1-11
• John 6:27-40
• Romans 8:1-11

Psalms 101, 109 – First, I want to stop and remember why I am doing this Lenten series in the first place. I want to really sink into this experience of Jesus doing what he did for me. For us. I want to really meditate on that and appreciate it. Next, I want to just say that Psalm 109 is an example of one of those psalms where I appreciate what David is feeling, but I wouldn’t take this as prescriptive from you. It might be descriptive of his experience, and I appreciate the vulnerability of him writing this down and articulating it so well. Also that he shared it so that others would see it. But it’s hard to read in light of Jesus and the New Covenant he brought us.

Jeremiah 18:1-11 – I am so glad I had the Bible in a Year podcast two years ago to help me understand Jeremiah more. And the analogy here is powerful. The potter with the clay. I am very malformed. You are constantly remaking me into your image. Oh, help me, Lord, to be in your image.

John 6:27-40 – Jesus was who he said he was. I would not have believed it then, but I believe it now. I’m so grateful to be alive now and not then.

Romans 8:1-11 – Holy Spirit, live in me. I know you do, but there are times when I crowd you out with my own selfishness and sinful nature. Live in me. I make you welcome here. Jesus, thank you for breaking any condemnation from the Father onto me. Thank you for your life, death, and resurrection.

And now as I go into this day, walk with me, Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. Help me to take you to others. Help me to love others. Help me to bring you everything that I think is mine and lay it at the foot of your cross. And help me to know how to love this family who is losing their precious wife and mother.

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

Amen

Dear God, my heart is incredibly heavy this morning. I learned some truths last night that I’m still trying to process. How could this have happened. To some extent, I think I feel let down by you as well, but I’m not sure. A couple of really important good things happened in the midst of all of the terrible. I don’t know. I apparently made a huge mistake that I prayed through at the time and since then. Did you lead me the wrong way? Did I not hear you correctly? I know I’m not the start of the current pain being experienced, but I now understand in a new way the role I played in contributing to it and making it greater. I know that anyone who reads these prayers I make to you doesn’t know what I’m talking about, and I have to keep this publicly vague to protect the privacy of others, but I didn’t want to not be transparent about the raw emotions I’m currently feeling.

With that said, I’m really hoping to find something in the scriptures that Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

• AM Psalms – 97, 99, 100
• PM Psalms – 94, 95
• Jeremiah 17:19-27
• John 6:16-27
• Romans 7:13-25

Psalms 97, 99, 100 – After reading these three psalms together, the last line of Psalm 100 is what sticks with me (maybe because I was distracted while I was reading them): For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Oh, LORD, please be good in my situation. Let your faithfulness continue through all generations.

Jeremiah 17:19-27 – I’ve tried to do better about having a day of rest when it comes to the Sabbath, but I could certainly be more intentional. But I also wonder how much this passage is about loving you and leading by example.

John 6:16-27 – The people wanted to know how you, Jesus, got to the other side, but you ignored that question and told them a truth about themselves. Holy Spirit, help me to ask the right questions and pursue the right answers.

Romans 7:13-25 – This whole thing about my sin nature, doing what I don’t want to do and not doing what I want to do . Yeah. I feel that.

Father, show me your path for me today. Please, show me your path.

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

Amen