Lent Week 3

Opening Prayer
"O God, Father of all mercy, we thank you unceasingly that you have brought us to the treasure of Your Word through the superabundant riches of Your grace. In that Word we receive the knowledge of your dear Son, that is, a sure deposit for our life and salvation. You have kept all those who constantly hold fast in pure faith and fervent love until the end. We thus hope and pray, merciful Father, that You would preserve us and bring us to completion with all of the elect, being of one mind, and make us to be a like image of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.” Martin Luther

Meditate on the Psalms
Last Sunday’s call to worship was Psalm 63.1-8.

You might also want to consider Psalm 32, a wonderful Psalm of David on God’s forgiveness. It also happens to be Next Sunday’s call to worship.

Growing in Grace: Pondering 2 Corinthians 3-6

• How has the Lord’s great mercy continued to encourage you (2 Corinthians 4.1)?
• Having integrity of conscience provides great freedom (2 Corinthians 4.2). Take the time to pray that the Lord will remove the veil that blinds those not-yet-saved from the glorious grace and good news of Jesus (2 Corinthians 4.3, 4).
• Contemplate the ways that Jesus reflects to us who the Father is (2 Corinthians 4.4).
• Allow the Spirit to speak to your heart, is there any “proclaiming yourself” that you need to confess? How can you cooperate with the Spirit to be a better “servant for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4.5)?
• Consider the awesome power of our creating God (2 Corinthians 4.6) and that awesome power that continues to manifest in your heart as you grow in your knowledge of Jesus!

Closing Prayer
"O Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, Word of the everlasting Father, you have borne our grief and carried the burden of our human frailty; by the power of the Holy Spirit, renew in your church gifts of healing, and send out your disciples again to preach the gospel of your kingdom, to heal the sick, and to relieve the sufferings of your children to the praise and glory of your holy name. Amen.” Saint Cyril (5th Century, Egypt)