Daily Prayer in Lent - Ash Saturday

Word for the Season

Even now, says the LORD,

return to me with your whole heart...
Joel 2:12

Word for the Day

Thus says the LORD:
If you remove from your midst oppression,
false accusation and malicious speech...
then light shall rise for you in the darkness...
(See today's readings for Isaiah 58)

Reflection

No doubt about it:
my heart harbors ill will
where harsh judgments dock
and angry words float freely,
riding dark waves of envy...
A harbor clouded and choked
with wrecks of grudges
and dregs drawn up from murky deeps...
A cold cove it is, craving warmth
and a sea change of grace...

Prayer
I return to you today, Lord,
from this harbor on my soul's shore...
Help me unload my heart's hold
of words and wishes stored only for hurt...
Sweeten the stale waters my heart sails
and fill me with a cargo of kindness,
such as I seek from others...
Rise like the sun over my heart's bow
and with the dawn's warmth
cleanse and heal me...
I trust you, Lord,
and pray you will trust me
to return to you this Lent, day by day,
with my whole heart...
Amen. 2009LentPostCollection

Image: Gwen Meharg

-ConcordPastor