40 Days of Prayer and Reflection - Lenten Prayer Week Five

Lenten Prayers - Week Five


Fourth Sunday of Lent
“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will
never be in need.” (Psalm 23:1)


Monday
“I prayed to you, Lord God, and
you healed me, saving me from
death and the grave.” (Psalm 29:2)


Tuesday
“The Lord all-powerful is with us.
The God of Jacob is our fortress.”
(Psalm 46:11)


Wednesday
Lord, you will never forget me.
(see Isaiah 49:15)


Thursday
“Remember me, Lord, when you
show kindness by saving your
people!” (Psalm 106:4)


Friday
Lord, you are there to rescue all
who are discouraged and have
given up hope. (see Psalm 34:18)


Saturday
“You, God, are my shield, the
protector of everyone whose heart
is right.” (Psalm 7:10)

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40 Days Of Prayer And Reflection - Video Reflection: The Problem of Sin

Loyola Press editor Jim Manney talks about the problem of sin and falling short of ideals in our relationship with God. This video is a part of An Ignatian Prayer Adventure.

 

For Further Reflection please see;

An Ignatian Prayer Adventure: Week 3

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40 Days of Prayer and Reflection - Lenten Moments: Letting Go Of Hatred

Focusing Scripture: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
“You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbour, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.”

Theme: Letting go of hatred.
So much of how we are supposed to live is easier said than done, isn’t it? We really want to hold onto that grudge sometimes. We really want to hang onto our anger and return hurt for hurt. Yet when we hold on to grudges, to anger, when our energy is focused on revenge, our hearts cannot be at peace in Jesus. He pulls us towards him. He says, “Let go.”

Reflective Moment
What is a grudge? Why do we hold grudges? How does it feel?

Living the Message
Choose to let go of a grudge today, to let go of anger, or to abandon a plan for revenge.

Prayer Moment
Dear Jesus, we offer to you all of our struggles in trying to love each other well. Help us to let go of hurts and of anger, and to hold onto the pace and forgiveness you offer. Amen.

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40 Days Of Prayer And Reflection - Spiritual Directive: Always Come Back To The Solid Place

Greek Orthodox monastery of Rousanou, Meteora, Greece

You must believe in the yes that comes back when you ask, "Do you love me?" You must choose this yes even when you do not experience it.

You feel overwhelmed by distractions, fantasies, the disturbing desire to throw yourself into the world of pleasure. But you know already that you will not find there an answer to your deepest question. Nor does the answer lie in rehashing old events, or in guilt or shame. All of that makes you dissipate yourself and leave the rock on which your house is built.

You have to trust the place that is solid, the place where you can say yes to God's love even when you do not feel it. Right now you feel nothing except emptiness and the lack of strength to choose. But keep saying, "God loves me, and God's love is enough." You have to choose the solid place over and over again and return to it after every failure.

-Henri J.M. Nouwen "The Inner Voice Of Love"

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40 Days of Prayer and Reflection - Video Reflection; “O felix culpa—O happy fault.”

Paul Brian Campbell, SJ, publisher of Loyola Press and People for Others blogger, discusses how we can learn great things from our sins. This video is a part of An Ignatian Prayer Adventure.

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40 Days of Prayer and Reflection - Lenten Moments: For The Least Among Us

Focusing Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46
“When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink.”

Theme: For the least among us.
Jesus tells us that he is in the faces of the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the imprisoned. The least loveable among us—that is where Jesus is. And he is rather clear—“feed me, clothe me, visit me. . . and the reign of God will be yours.”

Reflective Moment
In our community, where are the hungry, the naked, the most forgotten? How can we reach out to them?

Living the Message
Choose one simple way you will reach out to a forgotten person today (i.e., pack a lunch and give it to the homeless person who stands at the intersection, purchase a children’s game and drop it off at the nearest family shelter).

Prayer Moment
Lord, today we lift up to you the lonely and most forgotten people in our community. Through our actions and our prayers may they experience your love and care. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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40 Days of Prayer and Reflection - Lenten Prayer Week Four

Lenten Prayers - Week Four


Third Sunday of Lent
O Lord, we have heard you
ourselves, and we are certain that
you are the Savior of the world!
(see John 4:42)


Monday
“In my heart, I am thirsty for you
the living God. When will I see
your face?” (Psalm 42:2)


Tuesday
“Show me your paths and teach
me to follow; guide me by your
truth and instruct me.” (Psalm 25:4)


Wednesday
Help me, oh Lord, to follow your
commands, to teach them to my
children and to my children’s
children. (see Deuteronomy 4:9)


Thursday
We worship the Lord with thankful
hearts and songs of praise. (see Psalm 95:2)


Friday
Lord, that I may love you with all
my heart, soul, mind, and
strength. (see Mark 12:30)


Saturday
Lord, our prayer is that we may do
our best to know you today. (see Hosea 6:3)

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