“…And He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch with Me for one hour?’” (Mark 14:37)
Pastor Brian and the entire THC pastoral staff invites you to join us in prayer during this Lenten season for the power of the gospel message to be felt in our church family, our community, our country and the world. This prayer guide will lead you daily through selected scriptures and prayer requests. It is our hope that the Word of God will be revealed so that you may each know in a deeply personal way what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for you! And then, in gratitude, to pray for the Holy Spirit to move in our midst so that our sanctuary may be filled, hearts may be yielded, lives may be transformed and renewed, and that we serve where the Lord leads us.
Prayer Guide:
Thursday, March 8th
The Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6; Luke 16:19-31
Daily Meditation: Bring us back to you. The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus is our lesson today. We beg to be open to the workings of the Spirit, that we might not settle for the consolations of this life alone. Jesus then said, “I am the one who raises the dead to life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die. And everyone who lives because of faith in me will never really die. Do you believe this?”( John 11)
Today’s Daily Reflection
Intercessions: God has revealed himself in Christ. Let us praise his goodness, and ask him from our hearts: Remember us, Lord, for we are your children. Teach us to enter more deeply into the mystery of the Church, – that it may be more effective for ourselves and for the world as the sacrament of salvation. Lover of mankind, inspire us to work for human progress, – seeking to spread your kingdom in all we do. May our hearts thirst for Christ, – the fountain of living water. Forgive us our sins, – and direct our steps into the ways of justice and sincerity.
Closing Prayer: Loving God, I hear your invitation, “Come back to me” and I am filled with such a longing to return to you. Show me the way to return. Lead me this day in good works I do in your name and send your Spirit to guide me and strengthen my faith. I ask only to feel your love in my life today.
Friday, March 9th
Today’s Readings: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28; Psalm 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21; Matthew 21: 33-43, 45-46
Daily Meditation: Help us open our hearts to you. We hear of the vineyard owner whose tenants killed his servants and then his son. Let us be called open our hearts and lives to the challenge of your Gospel. It is possible to say it every day, “Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and be given to a people that will produce its fruit.” (Matthew 21)
Today’s Daily Reflection
Intercessions: Let us pray to Christ our Savior, who redeemed us by his death and resurrection: Lord, have mercy on us. You went up to Jerusalem to suffer and so enter into your glory, – bring your Church to the Passover feast of heaven. Lord, have mercy on us. You were lifted high on the cross and pierced by the soldier’s lance, – heal our wounds. Lord, have mercy on us. You made the cross the tree of life, – give its fruit to those reborn in baptism. Lord, have mercy on us. On the cross you forgave the repentant thief, – through which we are cleansed of our sins. Lord, have mercy on us.
Closing Prayer: Loving God, Caring parent, I am a child who so often turns my back on your love. Please accept my small acts of sorrow today and help to release me from the self-absorption that closes my heart to you. As I journey through Lent, let me remember the feast you have prepared for me in the resurrection and let me be filled with thanks to you.
Saturday, March 10th
The Readings: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Psalm 103:1-4,9-12; Luke 15:1-3,11-32
Daily Meditation: We must celebrate and rejoice. The Saturdays of Lent have a wonderful spirit. Our lesson today takes us to the parable of the two sons: – one who is ungrateful and leaves, but returns, and – one who will not accept the forgiveness the father lavishes on the other. The Lord is loving and merciful, slow to anger, and full of love; the Lord is kind to all, and compassionate to all his creatures. Entrance Antiphon.
Today’s Daily Reflection
Intercessions: Let us always and everywhere give thanks to Christ our Savior, and ask him with confidence: Lord, help us with your grace. May we keep our bodies pure, as temples of the Holy Spirit may we offer ourselves this day to the service of others, and do your will in all things throughout the day. Teach us to seek the bread of everlasting life, the bread that is your gift.
Closing Prayer: God of infinite love, you shower me with limitless gifts in my life. In my every thought and action today guide me to the bright and loving light of your kingdom. Help me to be aware of the many ways you allow me to share in your life so intimately today. Thank you for the gifts you have placed in my life. Let me be grateful every moment of this day.
Sunday, March 11th
The Readings: Exodus 20: 1-17 or 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25
Daily Meditation:Form a new heart within. This Sunday brings us closer to the font of renewing our baptismal commitment. We are deeply aware that there is a struggle going on in us. We turn to God, that we might not become discouraged. We rely on God’s compassion and love for us. We acknowledge who we are – sinners who experience the consequences of our selfishness – but we know we are loved and we desire to be filled with hope. We go into this week renewed in our desire to continue our prayer and generosity toward others.
Today’s Daily Reflection:
Intercessions: Let us praise our loving Redeemer, who gained for us this season of grace, and pray to him, saying: Lord, create a new spirit in us. Christ, our life, through baptism we were buried with you and rose to life with you, – may we walk today in newness of life Lord, you have brought blessings to all mankind, – bring us to share your concern for the good of all. May we work together to build up the earthly city, – with our eyes fixed on the city that lasts forever. Healer of body and soul, cure the sickness of our spirit, – so that we may grow in holiness through your constant care.
Closing Prayer:Loving Father, so many times I turn away from you and always you welcome me back. Your mercy and love gives me confidence Thank you for the invitation to share, fast and pray so that you can form a new heart within me. Your powerful compassion for my weaknesses leads me to ask for mercy and await with great hope the Easter joy you share with us.
Monday, March 12th
The Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-15; Psalm 42:2-3, 43:3- 4; Luke 4:24-30
Daily Meditation: We cannot be saved without you. Today we are reminded of the terrible irony: a prophet is not well received at home. Those who saw him as all too human did not accept Jesus. And, he was unable to act with power in their lives. Is this Lenten season getting us out of our comfortable complacency, and helping us see the prophetic one in our midst is it helping us listen better, reach out with deeper longing, find a greater intimacy with the only one who can save us? My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see God face to face (Psalm 42)
Today’s Daily Reflection
Intercessions: Praise to Jesus, our Savior; by his death he has opened for us the way of salvation. Let us ask him: Lord, guide your people to walk in your ways. God of mercy, you gave us new life through baptism, – make us grow day by day in your likeness. May our generosity today bring joy to those in need, – in helping them may we find you. Help us to do what is good, right and true in your sight, – and to seek you always with undivided hearts. Forgive our sins against the unity of your family, – make us one in heart and spirit.
Closing Prayer: Merciful God, Free your Church from the sins of this world and protect us from evil we see ?and the evil we prefer to ignore. We need your guidance, Lord for we cannot do this alone. Only with your help can we be saved. Thank you for your desire to save us and love us.
Tuesday, March 13th
The Readings: Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9, Matthew 18:21-35
Daily Meditation: Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy. Azania asks God to remember his mercies. He places his complete trust in God. These days, we place our lives in God’s hands, and we let God forgive us. The challenge of the Gospel is to forgive as we have been forgiven. How often we are so very much harder on others than our God is on us! An important Lenten examination of conscience. “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”
Today’s Daily Reflection
Intercessions: Praise to Christ, who has given us himself as the bread from heaven. Let us pray to him, saying: Jesus, you feed and heal our souls; come to strengthen us. Lord feed us at the banquet of the communion table, – with all the gifts of your Christ’s sacrifice. Give us a perfect heart to receive your word, – that we may bring forth fruit in patience. Make us eager to work with you in building a better world, – so that it may listen to your Church and its gospel of peace. We confess, Lord, that we have sinned, – wash us clean by your gift of salvation.
Closing Prayer: God of infinite love, I thank you for this reminder of your love and your call that we be more patient, gentle and compassionate with others. Here in the middle of Lent, I turn to you to beg for your help. Please soften my heart.
Wednesday, March 14th
The Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Matthew 5:17-19
Daily Meditation: Make us one in love and prayer. On this day it is all about fidelity, but the tone of the prayer is one of unity. Let us pray so earnestly for new believers; we can feel the power of asking that we be made one. I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me. Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper for “for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. ” (John 17:21)
Today’s Daily Reflection
Intercessions: Blessed be God, the giver of salvation, who decreed that mankind should become a new creation in him, when all would be made new. With great confidence let us ask him: Lord, renew us in your Spirit. Lord, you promised a new heaven and a new earth; renew us daily through your Spirit, – that we may enjoy your presence forever in the heavenly Jerusalem. Help us to work with you to make this world alive with your Spirit, – and to build on earth a city of justice, love and peace. Free us from all negligence and sloth, – and give us joy in your gifts of grace. Deliver us from evil, – and from slavery to the senses, which blinds us to goodness.
Closing Prayer: God, you love me as your own child. May I bend my life and will toward you so that I might accept your teaching and guidance. I am so grateful for your support in my life, now and in the eternal life you are preparing for me. I beg for your help and Spirit in my life today.
Thursday, March 15th
The Readings: Jeremiah 7:23-28; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Luke 11:14-23
Daily Meditation: May our love grow each day. We are at the halfway point in our Lenten journey today. There is so much yet to learn, to examine, to heal, and to renew. We have a sense of the patterns we are naming and a sense of the graces we are asking for, as well as the ways God is working in us.
We want to be ready and our Lord wants us to be confident. So we keep asking and we keep giving thanks, throughout our day. I am the Savior of all people, says the Lord. Whatever their troubles, I will answer their cry, and I will always be their Lord.
Today’s Daily Reflection
Intercessions: Christ our Lord came among us as the light of the world that we might walk in his light, and not in the darkness of death. Let us praise him and cry out to him: let your word be a lamp to guide us. God of mercy, help us today to grow in your likeness, – that we who sinned in Adam may raise again in Christ. Let your word be a lamp to guide us, – that we may live the truth and grow always in your love. Teach us to be faithful in seeking the common good for your sake, – that your light may shine on the whole human family by means of your Church. Touch our hearts to seek your friendship more and more, – and to make amends for our sins against your wisdom and goodness.
Closing Prayer: Loving God, I hear your invitation, “Come back to me” and I am filled with such a longing to return to you. Show me the way to return. Lead me this day in good works I do in your name and send your Spirit to guide me and strengthen my faith. I ask only to feel your love in my life today.
Friday, March 16th
The Readings: Hosea 14:2-10; Psalm 81:6-8, 8-9, 10-11, 14, 17; Mark 12:28-34
Daily Meditation: Fill our hearts with your love. Our lesson today reminds us again of God’s love and Jesus’ desire that we love one another as we are loved. On this journey, we are learning why this is a challenge for us. We are experiencing our human weaknesses and practicing ways to be freer, to open our hearts more fully to God’s love and to give ourselves in fidelity, every day. You ask us to express our thanks by self-denial. We are to master our sinfulness and conquer our pride. We are to show to those in need your goodness to ourselves.
Today’s Daily Reflection
Intercessions: Thanks be to Christ the Lord, who brought us life by his death on the cross. With our whole heart let us ask him: by your death raise us to life. Teacher and Savior, you have shown us your fidelity and made us a new creation by your passion, – keep us from falling again into sin. Help us to deny ourselves today, – and not deny those in need. May we receive this day of penance as your gift, – and give it back to you through works of mercy. Master our rebellious hearts, – and teach us generosity.
Closing Prayer: God of Mercy, I feel my heart overflowing with your tenderness. I sense your loving touch deep within my soul. I ask for your help in my weakness that I might be faithful to your word ?and I am so grateful ?that your mercy for my failings is as strong as your unbounded love for me.
Saturday, March 17th
The Readings: Hosea 6:1-6; Psalm 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab; Luke 18:9-14
Daily Meditation: Bring us to the full joy of Easter. This is the last day of the first part of Lent. Our lesson is a powerful one. The one person praying in the temple is proud of his spiritual accomplishments. The other person is deeply humble before God, and goes home having really named the graces desired.
Through our daily practices, we are placed with Jesus in suffering, in growing surrender to the deaths of our life, and in anticipation of the full joy of Easter. Keep me from any deadly sin. Only you can save me! Then I will shout and sing about your power to save (Psalm 51:14)
Today’s Daily Reflection
Intercessions: To make us his new creation, Christ the Lord gave us the waters of rebirth and spread the table of his body and his word. Let us call upon him and say: Lord, renew us in your grace. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, clothe us with compassion, kindness and humility, – make us want to be patient with everyone. Teach us to be true neighbors to all in trouble and distress, – and so imitate you, the Good Samaritan. Grant us the gift of your mercy, – forgive our sins and remit their punishment.
Closing Prayer: God of Mercy and Understanding, I know that with help I can open my heart more fully to the mysteries of the suffering and death of your son. Help me to be humble in this journey and remember that any mercy and compassion I feel is a gift from you. I await the joy of Easter with new longing and patience.
