Prayer Guide Lent 2017 - Week 5
Cornerstone Prayer Guide 2017 Why use this guide? The purpose of this guide is to aid us and our families in this Lenten season in two main ways: 1. To Look In: Lent is a time to re-orient our lives upon the death and resurrection of Christ. Lent is also a time to look inward to reflect on our lives and our relationship with God and his church a spiritual inventory of sorts. Use this time and these devotional exercises to repent and confess where you see sin and idolatry in your lives and to stand in awe of the redemption and restoration that was accomplished through Christ. This should drive us forward in our anticipation of celebrating The resurrection hope of Easter! 2. To Look up: Lent is a time to focus our hearts and minds on God in prayer. Just as we often prepare for big events in our lives like weddings, anniversaries or trips, so we should take time to prepare for Easter. With Easter we celebrate the greatest event in human history the resurrection of Christ which purchased our redemption! Galatians 4:4 reminds us, But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. How to use this guide? Each week will highlight a theme appropriate with the season of Lent. There will be a hymn and prayer for the week accompanied by daily scripture readings. We encourage you to incorporate a stanza from the hymn and the prayer into each day s devotional time. There are also discussion questions to help foster engagement with the daily readings. Please use these by yourself or with your family as appropriate. The hope is that this guide will enhance and aid your experience of Lent this year.
Week 5:March 27-April 1 Living as Sheep of The Great Shepherd Lenten Hymn: I Am Jesus Little Lamb link to audio I am Jesus' little lamb, Ever glad at heart I am; For my Shepherd gently guides me, Knows my need, and well provides me, Loves me ev'ry day the same, Even calls me by my name. Day by day, at home, away, Jesus is my staff and stay. When I hunger, Jesus feeds me, Into pleasant pastures leads me; When I thirst, He bids me go Where the quiet waters flow. Who so happy as I am, Even now the Shepherd's lamb? And when my short life is ended, By His angel host attended, He shall fold me to His breast, There within His arms to rest. Words: Henriette Louise von Hayn, 1778 Music: Christopher Miner, 1997
Lenten Prayer: Based on Psalm 23 Dear Lord Jesus, you are my shepherd, my very Good Shepherd. You give me everything I need, and more than I want. All I need in life is you, plus what you choose to give me. Even the most difficult places in life are like green meadows as long as you are there; and in the desert seasons of my life, and the drought like conditions of my heart, you quench my thirst and give me a peace I can t get anywhere else. By your grace I ve learned to pretend less and boast in my weaknesses more; for when I come to the end of my strength, wits, and rope, you always meet me there granting me rest in my weariness, and strength for my tired body and heart. Thank you for marking my path and determining my steps. Jesus, you never promised us a stress-free life or an easy journey home ; but you have promised never to leave or forsake us even in the darkest valley. That s all I really need to know that you re close and that you love me, and that you won t let anything happen to me outside of your perfect plan for my life. Jesus, you re taking us to the feast of all feasts the wedding feast of the Lamb; but long before that Day, you, yourself are my portion, banquet and feast my nourishment and satisfaction. Though enemies threaten, you feed me, anoint my life with your grace and Spirit, and cause my cup to spill over with blessings, for the benefit of others. Absolutely nothing will keep me out of heaven; and, just as certainly, nothing can possibly separate me from your goodness and unfailing love. Until the Day I long for more than any other arrives, I rest in your love and trust in your grace. Thank you for your promise to never stop desiring, pursuing, and caring for me. Amen. Prayer written by Rev. Scotty Smith, based on Psalm 23.
Daily Scripture Readings Day One: Day Two: Day Three: Day Four: Day Five: Day Six: Psalm 23 Isaiah 40:1-11 Jeremiah 23:1-8 Mark 6:30-42 1 Peter 2:18-25 Revelation 7:13-17 Questions to guide your reading: 1. In what ways do these passages highlight the role of A Shepherd? 2. In what ways do these passage highlight the role of sheep? 3. Where in your life have you seen God s gentle shepherding hand at work? 4. Are there areas in your life where you are wandering and straying like a sheep? Consider these areas and ask God to lead you in paths of righteousness!
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