Lent Guide | Week 5
Theme: Intervention
There are close to 10,000 nuclear warheads in the world 5,550 belong to the United States of America. It would only take approximately 100 warheads to damage the world such that no life could persist irreparably.
Is this the intervention we desire? I think not. And yet, when disarmament is called for, critics raise their collective voice and call out, “But what about the risk?”
The Christian has a different call for intervention: the God who’s slow to anger abounding in loyal love and faithfulness.
How to use this guide?
Each week offers a guiding theme for prayer for you to put into practice through daily movements of prayer and reflection (presence, formation, renewal, gratitude).
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As I come to prayer today, you meet me as I am, where I am; you invite me into your love. I say yes.
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What might Spirit desire to teach you? Where is do we need God’s intervening love to break into the chaos of our world?
(As you attend to each day’s scripture, consider God’s mercy in your life.)
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Jesus, we are desperate for your intervention. Come into our conflict. Reveal your rest afresh. Amen.
(Consider journaling about where you most need God’s intervening love in your life.)
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Recall moments of God’s care for you. Think about the sounds, sights, smells in that moment. Give thanks for God’s great gifts.
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Sunday, March 27th, 2022 - Psalm 32
What is God opening your eyes to this Lent? Where is he opening your heart to new life and light? Take time to name what this is and consider what it looks like to live as one who is free in Christ?
Monday, March 28th, 2022 - Luke 12:35–40
Lord, give us patience and the courage to wait and watch and be ready for the day when your kingdom comes on earth as in heaven.
Tuesday, March 29th, 2022 - Luke 13:22–30
If all God gives is a gift, what does it look like for us to be glad recipients? Consider afresh this day where God’s love is breaking into the mundane. Ask for awareness and set your heart to listen.
Wednesday, March 30th, 2022 - Luke 14:25–33
Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order, used to pray this prayer:
Lord, teach me to be generous, Teach me to serve you as you deserve: To give and not to count the cost, To fight and not to heed the wounds, To toil and not to seek for rest, To labor and to ask for no reward, Save that of knowing that I do your will.
What does this prayer make you feel? What does it make you think? Bring this to Jesus.
Thursday, March 31st, 2022 - Luke 15:4–10
Being lost is not an insult, and in fact, it is pretty plain. To be lost is simply being out of place, out of sorts, or headed in the wrong direction. Jesus intervenes in our “lostness” and invites us to come back into the fold. Where is Jesus gently inviting you back to his way?
Lord, help us to celebrate your welcoming love and be transformed by it.
Friday, April 1st, 2022 - Luke 16:1–12
Responsible care is weighty in God’s economy. The least is great, and the faithful are entrusted with great riches. Blessing is not a 1-to-1 correspondence between circumstances and favor - as the beatitudes remind us - but we too ought to consider, “what is in front of me?” And “do I treat this as a gift or possession?” Allow God to step into this space and make it sacred
Saturday, April 2nd, 2022 - John 12:1–8
Jesus, help me be humble enough to see what you see, even when all my instincts tell me the opposite. Help me to understand your movement to the cross.