Lenten Prayer Calendar

Father God

One day my life on earth will end;

the limits on my years are set,

though I know not the day or hour.

Shall I be ready to go to meet you?

Let this holy season be a time of grace

for me and all this world.

Amen

Father God, You came to give honour to the least, those forgotten, overlooked and misjudged. You came to give first place to the last, those left behind, misunderstood and undervalued. You came to give a warm welcome to the lost, those who are orphaned, abandoned and destitute. Help us to be your ears to listen to their cries. Help us to be your voice speaking out love and acceptance. Help us to be your feet walking beside those in need. Help us to be your hands to clothe, feed and shelter them. You came for the least, the lost and last of this world. Lord, hear our prayer. Amen

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help

them up. - Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV

“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 NIV

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV

Father God, I praise you that You yourself are the Great Physician! You came to heal the sick and help the poor. I praise you that you have designed people to follow in your footsteps and to bring healing to those who are sick. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for healthcare workers and their hearts for the hurting. I praise you for doctors, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and all the others who work tirelessly in the healthcare system. I praise you that these precious healthcare workers have a heart for people and for their health.

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7 ESV

Father God

We pray for our healthcare workers who are in their time of need as they are called on to perform their duties in the face of overwhelming caseloads and threats to their own wellbeing.

We pray your blessings on the families of our healthcare workers. Bless them with good health and protection from disease. We thank you for each healthcare worker. Show us how to thank them for their service. Alert us to ways we can support them.

May your great reward be with all of our healthcare workers who act daily on your behalf.

We ask this in Jesus name.

Amen

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:14 ESV

Dear God, we abound in hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Fill us with all joy and peace as we believe in You. Holy Spirit, empower our lives to produce Your fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Amen.

“… And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” —Micah 6:8

Creator God, Thank you for the waters of the earth, for the life-sustaining rains, lakes, and deep oceans. Keep us mindful of how precious these are, and how vulnerable they are. Help us to work together for clean water, and for the sharing of it with those who have need of it today. Amen.

O God, it is your will to hold both heaven and earth in a single peace. Let the design of your great love shine on the waste of our wraths and sorrows, and give peace to your Church, peace among nations, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts. Amen.

Holy One, Creator of all that is, seen and unseen, of story and of song, of heartbeat and of tears of bodies, souls, voices and all relations: you are the God of all truth and the way of all reconciliation. Uphold with your love and compassion all who open their lives in the sacred sharing of their stories breathe in us the grace to trust in your loving forgiveness, that we may face our histories with courage; touch us through the holy gift of story that those who speak and those who listen may behold your own redeeming presence; guide us with holy wisdom to enter through the gates of remorse that our feet may walk gently and firmly on the way of justice and healing. Amen.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” - Romans 10:13-14 NLT

God, thank you for the abundance of life, relationships, health, comfort, and wealth you have provided, and thank you that even in times of need, despair, and brokenness, you are there. Please, put your arms around children and families in extreme poverty so they feel comfort and hope; meet their needs both physically and spiritually. And, Lord, guide me so I can be your hands and feet pursuing justice for the poor and upholding the cause of the needy. Amen.

Father God, who is more than we can ever comprehend,

help us to seek you,

and you alone.

Help us to stand before all that we could do

and seek what you would do,

and do that.

Lift from us our need to achieve all that we can be and instead,

surrender to what you can be in us.

Give us ways to refrain from the busyness

that will put us on edge and off center,

give us today your peace. Amen

Father God, You alone determine the future and know that which is not yet, so help these men and women to see that You have a purpose for where they are now, and know that You can use anyone for Your glory and for Your purposes, including them. We know that You have commissioned us to make disciples of all nations, and that includes those who are incarcerated. Father, may You use these Christians behind bars to bring others into the kingdom by pointing others to Jesus Christ and trusting Him. They realize that You have allowed them to suffer the consequences for their own actions, yet I realize You may use them to reach others behind bars where we cannot, so please Father, make divine appointments for these Christians in prison, and allow them to cross paths with those whose heart You have prepared for the Word, and in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.

We offer to you, Loving God, the gifts and needs of youth.

Bless them with your guiding grace as they face the challenges and opportunities in their lives.

Touch their hearts with the gentleness of your love, that they may know they are valued and valuable beings.

Send your spirit of hope to their lives, that they may believe in themselves and know they are needed in this world.

Grace them with the gift of joy that they may celebrate life through laughter and tears alike.

Guide us, as we continue to grow in appreciation of the many gifts of young people, in the ministry opportunities we offer to them, in the journey of faith we walk with them, in our shared mission as a community called to discipleship in the world.We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen

Most loving God,

we ask your blessing upon all

who suffer from addiction.

Strengthen them to reach out for help.

Enable them to take the first step to recovery.

Bless them with the persistence to persevere

in the fight to be free.

Give courage and hope to their families,

drawing them close together

in the power of your love,

which alone can transform our living.

In Jesus name we ask, Amen

Lord, increase my joy by giving me a heart of service to you, cause me to consider the interest of others above my own in Jesus’ name.

Father God,

Hear our prayers for our ancestors.

May the road they walked in pursuit of peace and joy in you Mirror for us the same peace and joy we long for.

May we learn from their wisdom,

Better understand the challenges of their time And appreciate the life they have given us. May we experience their presence

As a communion of your everlasting love.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

Lord Jesus, keep us from self-righteous, unforgiving, prideful and untrue judgment. Teach us to be discerning and to uphold your Truth in Love. Amen.

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” - James 1:19 NLT

Listening is not only the most essential aspect of communication – it can make or break our relationships.

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” - Philippians 4:8 NLT

“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. - Philippians 2:1-5 NLT

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” - John 13:34-35 The Message

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Psalms 100:4

O God, the Father of Nations, the Ruler of Heaven and Earth, I pray today for all government leaders. I pray for the leaders to know you first, to lead through your wise council and guidance. I pray for them to lay aside selfish desire and petty grievances, instead focusing always on the best interests of the people. May they lead through humility and love, leading us to peace and unity. Lord, keep our leaders grounded in what is good and true, protecting them from the temptations and distractions of power and influence. May they know and follow you, leading through faith, ever working for the good of the people they serve.

Father God,

Whose great power and eternal wisdom embraces the universe, Watch over all police officers and law enforcement officers.

Protect them from harm in the performance of their duties.

We pray, help them keep our streets and homes safe.

We recommend them to your loving care because their duty is dangerous.

Grant them your unending strength and courage in their daily assignments.

Dear God,

Protect these brave men and women,

Grant them your Almighty protection,

Unite them safely with their families after their duty has ended.

We pray in Jesus Name,

Amen.

Lord help us to see things like You do. Your Word says that there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for You are all one in Christ Jesus. I pray that You speak to my heart so that I can remember that no one is better than another because of appearance or any other earthly attribute. I pray that I respect the diversity of all and embrace that we are all one, Amen.

Father God

I give thanks for my friends, for connection and laughter, for comfort and strength, for encouragement and unity, for forgiveness and grace, for celebration and joy. They are so many things to me, such a rich tapestry of blessings, woven through my life. Thank you.

Amen.

Matthew 22:37-40 ESV

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

Jesus, you were born in a little town. You grew up under the authority of local leaders and officials who managed the majority of your daily life. We lift up our local leaders today. We pray for our mayors, councillors, police and fire leaders, judges, and all who serve our local communities. Strengthen them with wisdom and grace for the heavy burdens they carry. May they manage their teams and projects with love. Keep their hearts pure and their eyes turned toward your face as they work in the best interests of the people they are called to serve.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Oh Lord who sees every Sparrow fall and counts even the hairs on our head, help us to see those around us that we are tempted to ignore. Help us to see each person we meet with your eyes and to treat all with the dignity and respect they deserve as part of your creation. Amen.

“How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” - Romans 10:15b NLT

Who first told you about Jesus? These people were the messengers of life-changing news! Lord we thank you for those who rose above nervousness and dared to tell us of your life changing and saving love. May you bless them and guide us to be your messengers as well. Amen.