Focus
Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.
Read
The Lord’s Prayer
11 He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.”
Perseverance in Prayer
5 And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
9 “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Reflect
What would it mean if we lived simply for daily bread? Would it increase our faith, or would it highlight our fear and lack of faith? We have so much stuff, but we find it hard to sacrifice or to share with others. We always think about the worst possible scenarios. There are so many what if’s that we can think of. Does that get in the way of daily faith?
Lent is a time for reflection. How are you looking inward, asking God to show you where you miss the mark?
Pray
God, it is so simple for Jesus to trust you. He is perfect and his faith and trust are unshakeable. But we are not perfect. We say we believe and in the next breath, murmur doubts that you will help us. We hear Jesus say to ask, seek, and search and we will be given all we need. And yet, we live our lives as if it were up to us to have what we need, and having done so, believe it so scarce that we dare not share it with others. Give us the courage to believe. When we doubt, and we will, give us the curiosity to where our fear is coming from. And let us accept the good gifts you give to your children with a gracious attitude. Amen
Go with God!
