Word for the Season
Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart...
Joel 2:12
Word for the Day
Joel 2:12
Word for the Day
Reflection
There are times when work,
even work we'd rather not do,
serves to keep our minds
off our troubles, cares and worries...
Sitting in the pool of my problems
will drench me in my difficulties...
Sometimes I need to get up, get out
and serve the Lord more consistently
if not constantly...
Faithfully serving the Lord
may provide a much needed oasis
in the desert of my difficulties...
Prayer
I return to you today, Lord,
with a heart often turned in on itself:
sometimes so much
that I fail even to see you at my side...
Lift me up out of my grief, Lord
and open my eyes, my ears, my hands
to the needs of those around me...
When my steps cross
that path of possibilities
let me miss no opportunity
to serve you, constantly, in my neighbor...
Deliver me from drowning
in my own difficulties,
distract me from my disappointments,
direct me to those in need...
Let my serving you, Lord,
be my strength
and let your strength be a haven
for my heart and my hopes...
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
even work we'd rather not do,
serves to keep our minds
off our troubles, cares and worries...
Sitting in the pool of my problems
will drench me in my difficulties...
Sometimes I need to get up, get out
and serve the Lord more consistently
if not constantly...
Faithfully serving the Lord
may provide a much needed oasis
in the desert of my difficulties...
Prayer
I return to you today, Lord,
with a heart often turned in on itself:
sometimes so much
that I fail even to see you at my side...
Lift me up out of my grief, Lord
and open my eyes, my ears, my hands
to the needs of those around me...
When my steps cross
that path of possibilities
let me miss no opportunity
to serve you, constantly, in my neighbor...
Deliver me from drowning
in my own difficulties,
distract me from my disappointments,
direct me to those in need...
Let my serving you, Lord,
be my strength
and let your strength be a haven
for my heart and my hopes...
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
Thank you for this beautiful prayer. It led me to think about how although I want to and am reaching out to support others, with all my challenges I so much need to be able to receive, to let in others to help me in my need, and God. Here's a link to a Catholic nun's beautiful suggestions on ways to pray "to find your prayer voice even in your darkest hours". http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Emotional-Health/Depression/How-to-Pray-When-Youre-Depressed.aspx
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