Third Sunday in Lent
March 2, 2025
Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
2 Cor. 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9
Our gracious God, we sometimes come before you bored and apathetic. We sometimes have no greater expectation than getting through the day. We sometimes get lost in the business and demands and pressures of life. We become weary with the sameness of the days. Be patient with us as with the fig tree whose growth was stunted.
We ask that you surprise us today. Surprise us with the good news that our lives can be renewed. Open to us your amazing love that keeps knocking at the door of our hearts so that our praise and adoration may leap excitedly from the depths of our souls today. Open our minds to the wonder which exists in our world and our universe that we may stand in awe of your majestic creation. Open our spirits which often linger in the far country of resentment that we may behold what manner of graciousness you have manifest to us and to our human family. As we behold your graciousness cause us truly to be grateful. With eyes wide open to the darkness of life may we nonetheless aspire to life’s grandeur.
Our world is heavy this week. All of Europe is fearful in the wake of the deadly bombings in Spain. We ask your healing presence among the wounded, we ask comfort for the grieving, and we ask resolve and fortitude for our nation. Be with the world of nations as it copes with those who have abandoned all human decency and intentionally slaughter the innocent. May they be brought to justice, but may we in turn be saved from a seething hatred which would consume us.
Save us from the sin which would so easily beset us and make us a revengeful, hateful people. Increase our resolve to create a world in which there is greater justice for all, where no child goes to bed hungry at night, where the strong do not prey upon the weak, and where love and respect and tolerance become normative behaviours of all people. Amen
March 2, 2025
Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
2 Cor. 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9
Our gracious God, we sometimes come before you bored and apathetic. We sometimes have no greater expectation than getting through the day. We sometimes get lost in the business and demands and pressures of life. We become weary with the sameness of the days. Be patient with us as with the fig tree whose growth was stunted.
We ask that you surprise us today. Surprise us with the good news that our lives can be renewed. Open to us your amazing love that keeps knocking at the door of our hearts so that our praise and adoration may leap excitedly from the depths of our souls today. Open our minds to the wonder which exists in our world and our universe that we may stand in awe of your majestic creation. Open our spirits which often linger in the far country of resentment that we may behold what manner of graciousness you have manifest to us and to our human family. As we behold your graciousness cause us truly to be grateful. With eyes wide open to the darkness of life may we nonetheless aspire to life’s grandeur.
Our world is heavy this week. All of Europe is fearful in the wake of the deadly bombings in Spain. We ask your healing presence among the wounded, we ask comfort for the grieving, and we ask resolve and fortitude for our nation. Be with the world of nations as it copes with those who have abandoned all human decency and intentionally slaughter the innocent. May they be brought to justice, but may we in turn be saved from a seething hatred which would consume us.
Save us from the sin which would so easily beset us and make us a revengeful, hateful people. Increase our resolve to create a world in which there is greater justice for all, where no child goes to bed hungry at night, where the strong do not prey upon the weak, and where love and respect and tolerance become normative behaviours of all people. Amen