An itinerant preacher slowly wends his way from north to south. He knows what likely awaits him in Jerusalem, but his disciples have no idea of the danger he faces. They are thinking about the growing influence of his life; he is thinking about the near-certainty of his death. One of his disciples shall forever be associated with a purported betrayal which purportedly led to the preacher’s crucifixion. Let us, with chastened spirits, worship the God who, along with us, also slowly goes to Calvary.
Pastoral Prayer
All praise be to Thee, Lord God. In this season of the year we are again reminded of Thine inexpressible love for us through the life, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection of Thy unique son, Jesus Christ. By his example we are led to see how we should live. By his selfless devotion to Thee we are shown the meaning of true devotion. Help us in this season of Lent to re-dedicate ourselves to Thee and to the way that Jesus has shown us. Forgive us for our failings, and revive us once again to strive to be more obedient and faithful servants for Thee and for Thy son.
We thank Thee for the life of Jesus, and for the uniquely remarkable way in which he lived his life. We praise Thee for his parables, stories by which the world has been forever changed. We marvel at his ability to heal the minds and bodies of people who had long suffered from various physical, psychological, or spiritual infirmities. We are continually moved by how a man who told us to be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves was himself constantly both cunning and pure at the same time. Teach us how better to reflect in our lives the light and warmth which shone through his life.
As always, our hearts and minds turn to those we know who are in particular need of The healing grace: the ill, the dispirited, those who grieve over the loss of loved ones, those whose lives have been turned upside down by unforeseen and disruptive circumstances. We pray for people assaulted by terrorists: the British people who once again have faced another remorseless killer, citizens in Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan, Nigeria and elsewhere who frequently are confronted by bombs and bullets, but there are few or no large headlines to remind us of their troubles because they are them and we are us. Grant us larger vision to see the larger picture of the entire world, so that we see ourselves to be brothers and sisters with all people everywhere. These things we ask in the name of the one we call the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Now together we pray as he taught his followers, saying, Our Father….