Holy Saturday, March 30: Stations of the Cross

Begin your prayer time by lighting a candle or by ringing the opening bell in the right hand column at the website here. Allow the ringing of the bell to draw you into sacred space with God. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God's love and presence, breathing out any distractions, plans or worries.

Jesus Dies

#12 Jesus Dies

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
take me along that holy way
you once took to your death.
Take my mind, my memory,
above all, my reluctant heart,
and let me see what once you did
for love of me and all the world.

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. (John 19:30-34)

Surely he took up our pain, and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6)

(Jesus), being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8)

Jesus Laid in the Tomb

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:38-42)

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Your journey through the stations of the cross is coming to an end. Spend some time pondering your journey. What have been the results of your journey in regards to your image of Jesus, your appreciation for who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for you? What are the invitations and challenges, in terms of how you are to live your life, that are implicitly contained in these stations? Spend some time exploring this with Jesus.

Closing

I adore You, O Christ, and bless You, for by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world and You have redeemed me.

FINAL CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ,
your passion and death is the sacrifice that unites earth and heaven
and reconciles all people to you.
May we who have faithfully reflected on these mysteries
follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heaven
where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit
one God, for ever and ever.

Good Friday, March 29: Stations of the Cross

Begin your prayer time by lighting a candle or by ringing the opening bell in the right hand column at the website here. Allow the ringing of the bell to draw you into sacred space with God. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God's love and presence, breathing out any distractions, plans or worries.

Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
take me along that holy way
you once took to your death.
Take my mind, my memory,
above all, my reluctant heart,
and let me see what once you did
for love of me and all the world.

It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (Mark 15:25-32)

(Jesus) did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” (John 10:14-15, 18)

Jesus extends his hand and a man takes a long heavy nail and feeling for the space just above the wrist, he feels for the place to drive the nail. Once finding the spot, he raises the hammer high and sends it crashing down on the head of the nail driving it through Jesus flesh and into the wooden cross beam below. He will repeat this with the other hand and then the feet. All the while Jesus is mocked, his identify denied, his power still masked. He is there by choice; he is enduring this agony for something far more precious to him than comfort, notoriety, earthly power or riches. There is a joy for which Jesus reaches that exceeds all he is currently enduring.

Spend sometime pondering the joy that fuels Jesus’ desire and ability to endure the cross (Hebrews 12:2). What is this joy? Spend some time considering what you would say to Jesus as he is nailed to the cross. What does Jesus say to you and how are you a part of the very joy Jesus is seeking?

Closing

I adore You, O Christ, and bless You, for by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world and You have redeemed me.

Thursday of Holy Week: Stations of the Cross

Begin your prayer time by lighting a candle or by ringing the opening bell in the right hand column at the website here. Allow the ringing of the bell to draw you into sacred space with God. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God's love and presence, breathing out any distractions, plans or worries.

Jesus Speaks with the Women of Jerusalem

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
take me along that holy way
you once took to your death.
Take my mind, my memory,
above all, my reluctant heart,
and let me see what once you did
for love of me and all the world.

A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Luke 23:27-28)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full ofgrace and truth. (John 1:14)

Jesus—once again as so many times before—moved by compassion, speaks to those who are weeping for him. Jesus, as always, speaks with grace and communicates truth; for Jesus is the truth as well as the way and the life. At a time when many would be overwhelmed by their own situation and bemoaning their own dire circumstances, Jesus is concerned about the plight of others.

As you have journeyed thus far with Jesus to the cross, what feelings are arising within you toward Jesus? What might Jesus have to say to you as he passes? Spend some time listening for Jesus’ words to you. Thank Jesus for being one who is able to be with you in the stuff of your own life – one who will share with you the twin gifts of grace and truth.

Closing

Almighty God, your Son had the presence of mind to think of the suffering of others even as He Himself suffered. Help me to live with greater concern for others than for myself; through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen.

I adore You, O Christ, and bless You, for by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world and You have redeemed me.

Jesus Christ Crucified. Have mercy on me.

Wednesday, March 27: Stations of the Cross

Begin your prayer time by lighting a candle or by ringing the opening bell in the right hand column at the website here. Allow the ringing of the bell to draw you into sacred space with God. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God's love and presence, breathing out any distractions, plans or worries.

# 3 Jesus Stumbles

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
take me along that holy way
you once took to your death.
Take my mind, my memory,
above all, my reluctant heart,
and let me see what once you did
for love of me and all the world.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus—fully man, God incarnate, tempted in all ways like us, one who experienced hunger, thirst, and weariness, just like us—after being beaten, collapses under the weight of the cross, under the weight of what his ‘yes’ to God means for him. Jesus is one of us, human, beaten down, even stumbling; and yet, he continues, spurred on by love of God, trust in God and a deep love of for you and me. The weight of the cross and that which is soon to come weakens his body and may even trouble his mind and spirit, but his resolve is unaffected. Jesus continues to the place of the skull, to Golgotha.

Spend some time considering Jesus in his humanity, one who could feel just like you the emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual pain that life brings. See him stumble, the weight of cross forcing him to the ground, the dust kicking up. Hear the taunts of the crowd, the angry voices of the guards, to get up and keep going.

What do you want to say to Jesus? What are the feelings that arise within you as you consider Jesus and what he is going through? Share your feelings and thoughts with Jesus.

Closing:

I adore You, O Christ, and bless You, for by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world and You have redeemed me.

Jesus Christ Crucified. Have mercy on me.

For your journal: " We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses"....  How does today's passage help you to identify with Jesus?  Can you think of times and places in your life when you stumbled and fell under the weight of your burdens?  Who was there to help you?  What enabled to you to continue on?  Recall how it felt to fall and to need help.  Take a moment to identify with Jesus and the human weakness which he willingly took on himself so that we have a Savior who knows so well how we feel.  

Tuesday, March 26: Stations of the Cross

Begin your prayer time by lighting a candle or by ringing the opening bell in the right hand column at the website here. Allow the ringing of the bell to draw you into sacred space with God. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God's love and presence, breathing out any distractions, plans or worries.

#2 Jesus Carries the Cross

I again invite you to see Jesus in his humanity as you read and pray with the scriptures today.  Remember that he felt all of the things that we feel.  Allow yourself to identify with his suffering.  

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
take me along that holy way
you once took to your death.
Take my mind, my memory,
above all, my reluctant heart,
and let me see what once you did
for love of me and all the world.

God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:17).

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Jesus said to all: “Whoever wishes to be My follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in My steps" (Luke 9:23).

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they led him away to crucify him (Matthew 27:27-31). Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha) (John 19:17).

Jesus receives his cross, living out the words he spoke to those who desire to be his disciples, and heads off to his death. Put yourself into the story. Jesus has been beaten and now, the heavy crossbeam of a cross is placed upon his bleeding shoulders and he is pushed and prodded toward the place he will be crucified. He shuffles more than walks and continues forward. What do you want to say to Jesus? Spend some time talking with Jesus about his journey to the cross.

Closing:

I adore You, O Christ, and bless You, for by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world and You have redeemed me.

Jesus Christ Crucified. Have mercy on me.

Repeat this prayer for as long as you would like.  

For your journal:  What does it mean to deny yourself?  As you look at the story of Jesus being lead to the place of his crucifixion, what does it mean to you to take up your cross each day and follow in his footsteps?  

Monday, March 25: The Stations of the Cross

We now enter the final week of Lent, Holy Week.  In order to make this an especially meaningful and devoted time in our prayer life, I am inviting us to travel with Jesus, in our hearts and imagination, through his passion and crucifixion.  We will accomplish this through a very abbreviated practice of praying the Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross, which has been in use since the Middle Ages.   Almost every Catholic church contains the Stations of the Cross in the form of paintings or sculpture that depicts Jesus' condemnation, journey to the cross, crucifixion, and death.  It really isn't that much different than St. John's own Easter totem.  The biggest difference is that the Way of the Cross ends with Jesus being placed in the tomb.  The joy of the resurrection is celebrated separately.

I will be using prayers for the Way of the Cross from the beautiful website b.  That wasn't a typo.  That is the name of the website and ministry, simply "b".  They have graciously given us permission to use their prayers for this Holy Week.  I am very grateful.  You can find much more information about the Way of the Cross at their website by clicking here.  You can also view all the stations by clicking the link at the bottom of that page.  You will find that the format the authors used for their prayer is very similar to the one that we have been using for these 40 days so it should seem familiar to us.

Many, many blessings as we journey together to the foot of the cross in these next 6 days.  It is my deep prayer that you will keep your eyes on Jesus' humanity this week, remembering that he was a person not so different from us.  What a savior!  May we walk in the steps of Jesus.

Jesus Condemned by Pilate

#1 Jesus is Condemned to Death  

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
take me along that holy way
you once took to your death.
Take my mind, my memory,
above all, my reluctant heart,
and let me see what once you did
for love of me and all the world.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” He (Pilate) had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified (Matthew 27:11-26).

Jesus stands alone, falsely accused by the very ones with whom he walked, who witnessed his miracles, and heard his teachings. These individuals now cry out and demand his death, death on a cross – Jesus is not recognized, not accepted, not understood (John 1:10, 11) but despised and rejected (Isaiah 53:3) by the very ones to whom he came. Yet, Jesus continues to say yes to God, trusting God (1 Peter 4:19).

Ponder what it might have been like for Jesus to stand alone, falsely accused and condemned to a horrific and humiliating death on a cross, while also knowing that at any time, he had the power to stop this craziness.

After you are done pondering, spend some time thanking Jesus for his willingness to suffer, recalling to mind that “by His wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 1:24).

Closing:

I adore You, O Jesus Christ, and bless You, for by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world and you have redeemed me.

Jesus Christ Crucified. Have mercy on me.

**You might consider praying this prayer through several times as you stay present with Jesus in his condemnation.    

Record any thoughts or reactions that you have in your journal.  Is there anything that you would like to say to Jesus?  

Saturday, March 23: The Examen of Consciousness

Begin your prayer time by lighting a candle or by ringing the opening bell in the right hand column at the website here. Allow the ringing of the bell to draw you into sacred space with God. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God's love and presence, breathing out any distractions, plans or worries.

Lord, Jesus Christ, teach me to pray.

Prepare yourself for the reading of the Psalm by quieting yourself and becoming aware of God's presence. Ask God to speak to you through the scripture. Read the scripture through two times, slowly and prayerfully.

A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah [31:33-34]

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord:  I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest”, says the Lord; “for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.”

Many of us look outside of ourselves to hear God’s will for our lives or to tell us how to live the Christian life.  We look to the pastor, to teachers and authors, to friends or people that seem particularly advanced to show us the way.  We are very gifted to have these people in our lives to help mentor and guide us, but sometimes we forget to look inside, inside of ourselves, where God is.  It is our tendency to not look directly to God, but to look to God through these other people in our lives.  

I believe that our passage today tells us that God has placed what we need to know inside of ourselves.  He has written it on our hearts.  The Spirit will make it known to us.

There is a very ancient form of prayer called the Examen of Consciousness.  It was originally developed as a spiritual practice for the followers of St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit order.  It is a prayer that is generally practiced at bedtime, but can be used at any time of the day and is based on reviewing the day that we have just lived with the desire of seeing the places where God is at work in our lives and how we are responding to God.  

(1)  Place yourself in God’s presence and ask for God’s light as you enter into this time of prayer.  Quiet your mind and body by taking a few deep breaths and allowing yourself to relax.  Allow yourself to be comfortable and comforted with God.  Let this be a sweet time and a loving place to be.  

(2)  Begin by being grateful for the day that you have been given.  I know that it may have been a very difficult day, but allow yourself to bring a spirit of gratitude to the prayer.  Say thank you.  Now, review your day.  Ask God to look at your day with you.  Try to look without judgment upon all the happenings of this day.  Begin with your waking in the morning and proceed through each time of the day as well as you can remember.  If you come to things that were difficult, things that you had wished you had done differently or things for which you might be ashamed, try not to look away.  Don’t get caught up in any bad feelings, you are simply being an observer.  The same is true for the joyful or easy parts of your day.  Don’t get caught up in them.  Just observe.  

(3)Now choose and ask yourself ONE of the following questions:

• For what am I most grateful? Least grateful?
• When did I give and receive the most love? The least love?
• When did I feel most alive? Most drained of life?
• When did I have the greatest sense of belonging? Least sense of belonging?
• When was I most free? Least free?
• When was I most creative? Least creative?
• When did I feel most connected? Least connected?
• When did I feel most fully myself? Least myself?
• When did I feel most whole? Most fragmented?

(4) Spend a few moments talking to God about the experiences that arise from your question.  You may feel the need to ask forgiveness.  You may want to say thank you.  You may want to ask for God’s help or for change in your life.  

(5) Now offer both of these experiences to God.  Imagine that God or Jesus is standing in front of you, holding a woven basket.  God extends the basket to you.  You then place the experiences in the basket and allow God to have them.  No taking them back.  If there is an experience or behavior that you place in the basket that you feel needs to be better or changed, you might simply say to God, “I trust you with this part of me”, knowing that God desires our conversion and transformation.

(6)  Briefly record the two experiences in your journal.   

The goal of this prayer is not to cause you to beat yourself up about your shortcomings, nor is the goal to pat yourself on the back for your successes.  The goal is to look for the places in your life where you were coming closest to God and the places that you were being pulled away from God.  In the list above, the first question on each line (ex. When did I feel the most whole?) will show you the experiences where you are being drawn toward God and to love.  The second question (Ex: Most  fragmented?) shows the places where you are going away from God and toward negative emotions like fear, anger, worry.  The goal is to help you to know where God is acting in your life and how you are responding.  The prayer helps you to know yourself and to read your own heart.

This method of prayer is meant to be practiced daily, not simply once in awhile.  Using this method, we are drawn into a deeper trust and faith in God.  We are drawn into deeper communion with God where God is able to transform us.

Friday, March 22: Lectio Divina

Begin your prayer time by lighting a candle or by ringing the opening bell in the right hand column at the website here. Allow the ringing of the bell to draw you into sacred space with God. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God's love and presence, breathing out any distractions, plans or worries.

Lord, Jesus Christ, teach me to pray.

Prepare yourself for the reading of the Psalm by quieting yourself and becoming aware of God's presence. Ask God to speak to you through the scripture. Read the scripture through two time, slowly and prayerfully.

A Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah [29:11-14]

“For I know the plans I have for you”, says the Lord.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.  I will be found by you”, says the Lord.  “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes.  I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land.”  

In this Lenten season, as we have prayed these prayers together, we have all been seeking  God.  A new experience of God, a deeper relationship with God, a more committed communication with and through God.  Know that God has heard you and the desires of your heart.  

This scripture is full of so many beautiful words and images.  It is an excellent passage to practice Lectio Divina once again.  

Prepare yourself by opening your heart to God.  Let God know that you are here to listen for God’s word for you.

Stage 1:  Lectio (Read)

Read the passage slowly.  You are not reading in order to understand or explain the scripture.  This isn’t about theology or bible study.  You are simply reading to be open to a word from God.

Now, read the passage again.  This time, see if there is a word that rises up above all of the other words.  A friend of mine, Christine, who has written two books on Lectio Divina, speaks of how a word often “shimmers”.  It stands out some how from all of the other words, but doesn’t necessarily jump out at you.  If a word doesn’t come immediately, be patient and let God know that you are waiting for a word.

Stage 2:  Meditatio (Reflect)

This is the stage in which you contemplate the word or phrase.  How does this word affect you?  What does it mean to you?  Does it trigger any emotions or memories in you?  What sights, sounds, smells or tastes might you associate with the word?  What does this word have to do with your life right now?  With your spiritual life?  What do you think God is saying to you through this word?

Stage 3:  Oratio (Pray)

At this point, you speak with God about the thoughts and awarenesses that have been coming to you through this scripture.  Be open and honest with God.  Does God want to transform something in your life through this word? Heal something?  Encourage you?  Comfort you?  Challenge you?

Stage 4:  Contemplatio (Rest)

In this case, contemplation means simply to rest in God’s presence.  There is nothing left to do but to let God have you.  Let go of your thoughts, words or plans.  Simply rest.


I encourage you to record your word or phrase as well as your response to God in your prayer journal.

Thursday,March 21: Becoming More Like Christ

Begin your prayer time by lighting a candle or by ringing the opening bell in the right hand column at the website here. Allow the ringing of the bell to draw you into sacred space with God. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God's love and presence, breathing out any distractions, plans or worries.

Lord, Jesus Christ, teach me to pray.

Prepare yourself for the reading of the Psalm by quieting yourself and becoming aware of God's presence. Ask God to speak to you through the scripture. Read the scripture through two time, slowly and prayerfully.

A Reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians [3:16-19]

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away.  Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom.  And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord.  And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.  
What does it mean to you to be like Jesus?  What was Jesus like?  What did Jesus do?  In your journal, make a quick list of some of Jesus’ characteristics and actions.  

There are many different ways to describe Jesus’ way of being in the world.  He was a teacher, a healer, a miracle worker, one who shared great wisdom.  He is the Son of God, our Redeemer, Emmanuel, God with Us.  But as Christians, we understand that what Jesus does and who he is most fundamentally, is Love.  Jesus came to love, to be love, and to teach us to love.  

In the scripture today we read, “And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him...”.  What do you think of that statement?  My first response is to search my heart and ask, “Am I becoming more like Jesus?  Am I becoming more loving?”  

I also notice that the scripture says that we become more like Jesus because of the work that the Spirit is doing in us.  Oddly enough, it does not say that we become more loving because of the work that we are doing.  The Spirit does the work in us, but we must open our hearts to the Spirit to allow the work to be done and then respond in loving ways in the world.  We are a channel for Christ’s love in the world.  

As a prayer today, I invite you to read, or if you know the tune, to sing the praise hymn More Like You.

More like you,
Jesus, more like you.
Fill my heart with your desire,
To make me more like you.

More like you,
Jesus, more like you.
Touch my lips with holy fire,
And make me more like you.  

Repeat the prayer or sing the song through several times, offering yourself to Christ, asking for transformation.  

For your journal:  How does it feel to ask for transformation in your life?  Do you really believe that the Spirit will make you more like Jesus?  Have you seen that happening in your life?  

Wednesday, March 20: Praying for God's Children

Begin your prayer time by lighting a candle or by ringing the opening bell in the right hand column at the website here. Allow the ringing of the bell to draw you into sacred space with God. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God's love and presence, breathing out any distractions, plans or worries.

Lord, Jesus Christ, teach me to pray.

Prepare yourself for the reading of the Psalm by quieting yourself and becoming aware of God's presence. Ask God to speak to you through the scripture. Read the scripture through two time, slowly and prayerfully.

A Reading from the Gospel according to Mark [10:13-16]

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.  But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”  And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

In the scripture today, we can see how very much Jesus valued the children.  They were indeed “precious in his sight” as the old children’s hymn reminds us.  All around the world today children are sick, hungry, neglected and abused.  How Jesus’ heart must be aching. And so should ours.  

I invite you to make the next 24 hours an entire day of prayer for the children of the world.  As we pray together, let’s hold each child in the world as tenderly and lovingly as Jesus does in this scripture passage today.  

Prayer Practice:  Make an intention to try to really notice and attend to all of the children that come into your life today.  Whether you are at home, work, school, the grocery store, mall, or even on television, make a point of paying attention to the children that you see.  As you notice them, silently bless them in your heart and mind.  If they are your own children, place a loving hand on them or take them in your lap  and bless them as Jesus did.  You may also offer a blessing from a distance for children that you don’t know or cannot touch.  A simple way to bless them is to lovingly say, “May God protect you and give you all good things.”  Attempt to open your heart to them and offer the love of God that flows through you.  

Some of us may not come into contact with children during our day.  If you do  not, I invite you to practice blessing using the television, newspaper, or magazines.  You can find images of children almost anywhere you look.  Use these images to allow you to offer blessings to the children that so desperately need our love and our care, whether they be here in Alaska, the United States, or all around the world.  

Make an intention now to try your best to bless and pray for all of the children that God brings into your life in the next 24 hours.  To help yourself remember place a note on your computer, your phone, or somewhere in your space where you will see it frequently.  

And remember, children are  everyone under the age of eighteen.  Teens and young adults desperately need our blessings and prayers as well.  Begin this day of prayer by spending 4-5 minutes praying for all of the children of the world, both near and far.  

For your journal:  Who are the children who are most urgently on your heart today?  List the names of children or world situations for which you would like to keep praying.  How might God be calling you to act on behalf of children?  

Tuesday, March 19: Intercessory Prayer

Begin your prayer time by lighting a candle or by ringing the opening bell in the right hand column at the website here. Allow the ringing of the bell to draw you into sacred space with God. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God's love and presence, breathing out any distractions, plans or worries.

Lord, Jesus Christ, teach me to pray.

Prepare yourself for the reading of the Psalm by quieting yourself and becoming aware of God's presence. Ask God to speak to you through the scripture.

A Reading from the Book of Psalms [121]

I lift up my eyes to the hills;
From where is my help to come?

My help comes from the Lord,
The maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved
And he who watches over you will not fall asleep.

Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep;

The Lord himself watches over you;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand,

So that the sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
It is he who shall keep you safe.

The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in,
From this time forth for evermore.

In this Psalm we find a very beautifully expressed prayer of intercession.  A prayer of intercession is one in which we pray to God on behalf of another.  This could be a person, a community, a particular nation, a difficult situation, or the earth itself.  As we have seen previously, very often we don’t know how to pray for difficult or painful situations.  We feel overwhelmed and are not sure where to start.  This Psalm does not cover a specific situation or ask for a certain outcome, but it deeply affirms God’s presence, care and power.

I invite you to begin by quieting yourself and affirming that God is present with you.

Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to your heart and mind a person or situation that needs your prayer, love and support.

Envision that person or situation as much as you are able.

Now pray this Psalm over them.  I would encourage you to repeat it several times.
Ask God to bring someone else to your heart.

Remain in prayer until you feel you have come to a stopping place.

For your journal:  Record who or what you prayed for today.  Why did God bring this person or situation to your heart today?  If it is someone you know, consider sending them a note or an email to let them know that they were on your heart and in your prayers today.