Has it really been a month since I wrote last? Hard to believe. Maybe time is flying by for you as well. Or perhaps it's not. Perhaps for you time has slowed down. Each of our lenten and life journeys holds varied experiences and emotions. I do think Lent draws us together in our desire to be faithful and attentive to the power of what God is doing through Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection.
My church is sending daily devotionals for Holy Week. Today's had this heartfelt prayer attached. I invite you to pray it, too.
This is a time to be with you, Lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death. I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life. The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life. I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. There are not times or places without choices. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you. Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and in every place. Give me the strength and the courage to live this season faithfully, so that, when Easter comes, I will be able to taste with joy the new life that you have prepared for me. Amen. (“A Lenten Prayer,” by Henri Nouwen)
Grace and peace to you,
Ruth
