ABBC

Day 17 March 13

Dear God,

We share this day with You, no matter what it brings. We are grateful that You walk with us during our happy times as well as our sad and uncertain times. Thanks for being apart of what today brings.

There is so much we take for granted: the beauty of the earth, our ability to think and reason, our health, and our connection to people. God, we know that people are not always nice to us and we are not always nice to people. Help us to forgive the person who is hurtful to us. Help us to make someone’s else day a little bit better; maybe it’s opening the door for an elderly woman, or a smile to a homeless person, or listening to a friend share a sad story.

God, thank you for reminding us that you are with us when it feels like we are the only person going through a hard time, when we don’t seem to relate well with parents or teachers or peers as well as when I did well at school or work. Yes, you are with us all the time.

Thank you for the beauty of the earth, the nourishing food we eat, and the communion of people.

In Christ's name, Amen

WRITTEN BY TRACY TALAMBAS

O Thou Eternal God, Out of whose absolute power and infinite intelligence the whole universe has come into being, we humbly confess that we have not loved thee with our hearts, souls and minds, and we have not loved our neighbors as Christ loved us. We have all too often lived by our own selfish impulses rather than by the life of sacrificial love as revealed by Christ. We often give in order to receive. We love our friends and hate our enemies. We go the first mile but dare not travel the second. We forgive but dare not forget. And so as we look within ourselves, we are confronted with the appalling fact that the history of our lives is the history of an eternal revolt against you. But thou, O God, have mercy upon us. Forgive us for what we could have been but failed to be. Give us the intelligence to know your will. Give us the courage to do your will. Give us the devotion to love thy will. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray.

WRITTEN

BY

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

About This Prayer: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) was an American minister and civil rights leader.

Day 19 March 15

Heavenly Father, I thank you for my many cherished blessings. I need your guidance, Lord, to be ever mindful of how important loving kindness is in this world. Help me take the time to be kind. That kindness costs me nothing in return, and I may never know if someone is silently carrying a heavy burden. Lord, may my actions reflect a kind heart. Never let me ignore a chance to offer a smile, a happy expression, a kind word, or the gift of acknowledging that a person is valued and not alone. I humbly ask your guidance.

In the name of Jesus, Amen

WRITTEN BY ANONYMOUS CHURCH MEMBER

About This Prayer:

"I have strong feelings about how our world does not consider 'kindness' a priority. The only 'story' would be that I ask the Lord for guidance every day and I have chosen 'kindness' for my Lenten prayer."

Day 20 March 16

Our Heavenly Father... we praise you for each day you grant us on earth and for the promise of our daily bread. Heavenly Father, please help us to forgive as we want to be forgiven. we praise you for the beautiful hope of Easter and the love and healing of Jesus Christ.

Amen

WRITTEN BY CHRIS FELTON

About This Prayer: Chris Felton has been a member of First UMC Arlington since 1958.

Day 21 March 17

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks to me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of the Christ.

May your salvation, Lord, be ever with us.

WRITTEN BY ST. PATRICK

About This Prayer:

St. Patrick was a 5th century missionary and the Bishop of Ireland.

Day 22

March 18

Show me your ways, Lord.

Teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth, and teach me. For you are the God of my salvation.

I wait for you all day long. SCRIPTURE

PSALM 24:4-5

us, not into temptation…“

Recognizing in our prayer life that we will often be tempted, we can ask for God to lead us in different and right paths so that we might be able to live the life God desires for us. Asking for God’s leadership and assistance in our path of life is the core to moving forward into a new normal.

In the space below, write or draw your own prayer of response. Make a list of the people to pray for in the coming week.