Prayer as We Gather: Thirst-quenching God, after surviving another week in our culture’s parched, angry desert of fear-stoked competition, we collapse at last into the peaceful oasis of your presence in this holy hour. We come seeking the waters of your grace while they can still be found, calling upon you while you are yet near. Fill our cup, Lord. Amen.* (Mitchell Simpson, inspired by Isaiah 55)
Call to Worship:
God, I search for you!
My whole being thirsts for you!
I’ve seen your power and glory in the sanctuary,
So I will bless you as long as I’m alive.
My mouth speaks praise with joy on my lips,
Because you’ve been a help to me.
My whole being clings to you;
Your strong hand upholds me. (from Psalm 63, The Common English Bible)
Morning Prayer: Thank you for apostle Paul’s timely reminder not to grumble, Lord. May our confidence in your ultimate justice help us keep our own struggles in perspective, mindful that “no temptation has seized you that isn’t common for people,” even though they may seem crafted around our particular weaknesses and blind spots. Counter our fears with the calm assurance that you won’t allow us to be tempted beyond our abilities, but will always supply a way out so we will be able to endure every trial, for we appeal to you through the One who taught us to pray, saying …*(Mitchell Simpson, inspired by 1 Corinthians 10)
Prayer of Confession: Forgive, Lord, our propensity for wanting special treatment from you, our dark need to equate other people’s suffering with their being more sinful than we. We stand convicted by Jesus’ stern reprimand of those who delighted in other people’s misfortune: “I tell you, unless you change your hearts and lives, you will perish just as they did!” Dispel the hardness of heart tempting us to greater grief over the slaying of fellow Christians than the slaughter of faithful Jews and Muslims. Have mercy on our history of hiding behind religion to perpetrate the most grievous violence in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Mitchell Simpson, inspired by Luke 13)
Assurance of Pardon: Hear the good news: Jesus, the constant gardener of our souls, stands in perpetual advocacy on our behalf, appealing to our Creator to grant us yet another opportunity to be found faithful to our Kingdom calling as disciple-makers, invoking the familiar image of a fig tree failing to produce figs: “Lord, give it one more chance; maybe it will produce fruit next year.” Thanks be to God for the grace of another opportunity to draw others close to Jesus precious, bleeding side. (Mitchell Simpson, inspired by Luke 13)
Thought for a Lenten Sabbath
“America is the psychological society, and the language and philosophy of need have seduced the church.” - Bill Hull, Pastor and Author