Here is a brief scripture and prayer for you to read and meditate on each day of Lent. May the Holy Spirit be with you and inspire you.
Wednesday, February 22 — Psalm 28 2 Chronicles 29:20–30:27; Acts 24:17–27
Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers.
Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.” Luke 1:46-48
Strong Deliverer, we begin our Lenten journey with you today. Open our hearts and our minds anew to your sacrifice for us in order that we might know that God’s love for us is limitless, with neither beginning nor end. Amen.
Thursday, February 23 — Psalm 29 2 Chronicles 31; Acts 25:1–15 Turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die? Ezekiel 33:11
Rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13
O gracious Savior, we thank you that, in your divine mercy and grace, you have done for us what we were unable or unwilling to do for ourselves. You have called us to yourself. You have forgiven our sins, cleansed our hearts and lives, and healed us of our brokenness. Because of you, in all circumstances, we are able to sing, “It is well with my soul.” Amen.
Friday, February 24 — Psalm 30:1–5 2 Chronicles 32; Acts 25:16–26:1
I will make with you an everlasting covenant. Isaiah 55:3
In Christ every one of God’s promises is a “Yes.” For this reason it is through him that we say the “Amen,” to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20
Great Promise-keeper, in Jesus Christ, all of your promises and all of our hopes were fulfilled. We are loved. We are forgiven. We are saved. May our lives continue to sound forth the praise of which you are worthy. Gladly, forever, may we adore you. Amen.
Saturday, February 25 — Psalm 30:6–12 2 Chronicles 33:1–34:7; Acts 26:2–14
Hear the word of the Lord, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.” Hosea 4:1 NIV
If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. James 1:5
Great Father, how often have you looked at the fields of our lives and found no harvest. Forgive us for the fruit we have failed to bear and the weeds we have sown. We thank you that you look to us not as a judge, but as a guide. Thank you for your wisdom, for showing us the better way. Thank you for the home you have prepared, even for sinners such as us. Amen.
Sunday, February 26 — Genesis 2:15-17;3:1-7; Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
The Lord will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:26
Jesus prayed, “I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.” John 17:15
Divine Protector, we thank you that you do not stand far off, keeping score of our faults. You observe us as a loving parent, anxious to prevent us from going astray and assisting us in learning the better way. Your desire is to deliver us from evil and place our feet upon the better path. Heavenly Father, we praise you for your nurturing love. Amen.
Week 2
Monday, February 27 — Psalm 31:1–5 2 Chronicles 34:8–33; Acts 26:15–27
The Lord is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. Psalm 98:9
Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your judgments have been revealed. Revelation 15:4
O righteous Judge, as you weigh the nations and people of the world in the scale of your will, we are comforted that you are motivated by love for all your children with an eye toward justice and equity. May we look to your reign as an expression of your love and as a longing for the fulfillment of justice for all your children. Amen.
Tuesday, February 28 — Psalm 31:6–9 2 Chronicles 35; Acts 26:28–27:8
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Psalm 130:1-2
The blind man shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Luke 18:38-39
O merciful Savior, too often our prayers are limited to times when we are in distress and call on you for help. May your Holy Spirit move within our hearts to call us to prayers of praise and gratitude for your goodness and blessing of our lives. Amen.
Wednesday, March 1 — Psalm 31:10–20 2 Chronicles 36; Acts 27:9–20
The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings.” Daniel 2:47
Paul said, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Acts 26:27-28
Lord, some days our faith is strong—some days we are only “almost persuaded.” Lord God, work to persuade us and those holding power in human affairs, that our true identity is found as creatures who are loved by you and who, in response, are serving you. Amen.
Thursday, March 2 — Psalm 31:21–24 Ezra 1,2; Acts 27:21–38
The Lord said to Jacob, “Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land.” Genesis 28:15
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Faithful One, our world is filled with unfaithfulness—in our families, in our neighborhoods, in our government, in our businesses. Help us remain faithful wherever we go. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Friday, March 3 — Psalm 32 Ezra 3; Acts 27:39–28:6
You have set my feet in a broad place. Psalm 31:8
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you. Ephesians 1:18 NIV
Lord of history, the psalmist and our ancestors believed all things are in your control. Perhaps we have a clearer sense of both our human powers and our human limits. Increase our confidence, that in the end, you will heal and restore your creation. Amen.
Saturday, March 4 — Psalm 33:1–5 Ezra 4; Acts 28:7–16
The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. Psalm 12:6
The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63
Living Fire, from you comes our life, new each day. Refine us to be better tools for your work. Burn away what stands in the way of your work. Bring the warmth of new life. Open us to your work within us and among us. Amen.
Week 3
Sunday, March 5 — Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121, Romans 4:1-5,13-17; John 3:1-17
The Lord spoke and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. Psalm 33:9
The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:8
“Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free.” What a seeming contradiction! What a promise! We are at our best, not when we are alone, but when we are connected both to you and to one another. Lord, capture us. Amen.
Monday, March 6 — Psalm 33:6–11 Ezra 5:1–6:12; Acts 28:17–31
Thus said the Lord of hosts, “Truly, one who touches you touches the apple of my eye.” Zechariah 2:8
Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40
Creator of the universe, it is amazing that we mortal creatures—every one of us—are precious to you. Even more, you tell us that we meet you through one another. Plant and nurture in us the faith to believe and to live by those amazing truths. Amen.
Tuesday, March 7 — Psalm 33:12–22 Ezra 6:13–7:28; Romans 1:1–12
The Lord our God may not leave us or abandon us. 1 Kings 8:57
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Faithful One, so many in our world feel abandoned and forgotten. When we are tempted to abandon or forget those in need, whether near or far away, we remember the love of parents for their children, a gift that reflects your faithfulness, and we give you thanks. Amen.
Wednesday, March 8 — Psalm 34:1–7 Ezra 8:1–20; Romans 1:13–25
O land, land, land, hear the word of the Lord! Jeremiah 22:29
What you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. Matthew 10:27 NKJV
Welcoming God, we all want a home, a place that is ours, that we can find on a map. But the scattering of friends and family reminds us of what has always been true: our only real home is in you. May we live by this, and be people who welcome and who heal. Amen.
Thursday, March 9 — Psalm 34:8–18 Ezra 8:21–10:6; Romans 1:26–2:4
The Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing. Deuteronomy 2:7
Jesus said to his disciples, “When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “No, not a thing.” Luke 22:35
Our Strength and Motivation, so much in the world needs to be replaced or fixed that we are overwhelmed. Lead us to some corner of life where, empowered by you, we may make a real difference and get a glimpse of your kingdom. Amen.
Friday, March 10 — Psalm 34:19–22 Ezra 10:7–44; Romans 2:5–16
He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Ever-present Help and Stay, we tire; we grow weary; we want to rest. Give us the strength to live well this day and serve you faithfully this day. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Saturday, March 11 — Psalm 35:1–10 Nehemiah 1:1–2:10; Romans 2:17–3:2
Moses said, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28
Jesus said, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.” John 15:10
Loving God, you have created us so that you can bless us, but sometimes we resist. Sometimes we think of your commandments as roadblocks, not as guardrails on the road. Help us to discover the joy and satisfaction of obeying you. Amen.
