#1
God of the desert,
as we follow Jesus into the unknown,
may we recognize the tempter when he comes;
let it be your bread we eat,
your world we serve
and you alone we worship.
A New Zealand Prayer Book, from The Book of a Thousand Prayers by Angela Ashwin, #770
#2
when the world is no longer a paradise
and creation shows its full power over us still
and we are brought down to size on this small planet of ours
we worship
when the memories linger of the past
and war shapes us beyond our knowing
and conflict becomes a story of life
we worship
when the way is more barren than beautiful
when the path is more a climb than a stroll
when the desert expands and the horizon stretches
we worship
we worship
because we can
we worship
because we hope
we worship
because we know our vulnerability
when things shift
and we need to hold on
we worship
it is the only strength we have for the journey
welcome to Lent
by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website, available on re:worship.
#3
“Lord, hear my prayer; do not hide your face from me in the day of my trouble; my heart is scorched and withered like grass; I have become like an owl in the wilderness; I have eaten ashes for bread, and mingled my drink with my tears.” (Psalm 102:1, 2, 4, 6)
Lord,
take my small offering of self-denial this Lent,
as a sign of my great longing for you.
I hunger for your presence in my life,
and I thirst for your love.
I hunger for justice for those who are wronged and oppressed,
and I thirst for your peace.
I hunger for a glimpse of your glory,
and I thirst for your stillness in my heart.
God of giving, God of longing, God of pain,
I hunger for you.
by Angela Ashwin, from The Book of a Thousand Prayers by Angela Ashwin, #774