Lent daybook, 32: It is the sacrifice of the Lord's Passover

My Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. Join me, won't you? (see previous Lent daybook 2016 posts here)

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Lent

Phaedra Taylor

source

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read

Exodus 12:21-27

Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you. You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever. And when you come to the land that the Lord will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service. And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord's Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.

all readings for the day: Psalm 126; Exodus 12:21-27; John 11:45-57

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pray

Sisters and brothers,
as Jesus, in the days before his passion,
offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears,
let us pray for those who suffer, those who are in need,
and those who seek reconciliation.

Include prayers here for your family, friends, neighborhood and the world.  

God of compassion, you know our faults and yet you promised to forgive. Keep us in your presence and give us your wisdom. Open our hearts to gladness, call dry bones to dance, and restore to us the joy of your salvation. Amen. (source)

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listen

When I See the Blood by Nathan Partain

( I invite you to listen with me to my ever-evolving Lent playlist & Lent Spirituals playlist )

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do

Using the guide below, take time today to examine your heart and look for meaningful ways to put your faith into practice.

#1 Prayer of Self Examination
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24)

Take a moment to quiet your heart and reflect upon the past week. Look especially for ways to express gratitude and thanksgiving to God for his goodness and love, as well as genuine sorrow over your own sin and brokenness. Close this time of prayer by expressing your hope in the power of the Holy Spirit who is faithful to forgive, cleanse, and transform you into his likeness (2 Cor. 3:18).

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(see all Lent daybook posts from 2015 here)

Lent daybook, 4: when I am lifted up from the earth

My Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. Join me, won't you? (see previous Lent daybook 2016 posts here)

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look

Exodus

Marc Chagall

source

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read

John 12:30-36  

Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 

So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 

So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”  

all readings for the day:  Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; John 12:27-36

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pray

• Gracious and merciful God,
  you see into the secret places of our hearts,
  where we mourn our sins.
  As we turn again to your grace, receive our prayers.
  
  Include prayers here for your family, friends, neighborhood and the world
  
  Look with mercy on our contrite hearts,
  wash from us the stain of iniquity,
  and create a new and right spirit in us,
  that we may declare your praise
  and offer an acceptable sacrifice in these Lenten days;
  through Christ Jesus, who bore our sins on the cross. Amen. (source)

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listen

Jesus, I Lift My Eyes by Jars of Clay

( I invite you to listen with me to my ever-evolving Lent playlist & Lent Spirituals playlist )

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do

If weather permits, take a silent walk today. Experience the beauty of outdoors. As you are walking, consciously dwell with the Lord in the experience. Be grateful for his kindness and favor to you.  (source, Wilderness Time: A guide for spiritual retreat)

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(see all Lent daybook posts from 2015 here)

Wishlist

I wish one of my musician friends would write a new arrangement for this hymn. (hint, hint!) I discovered it this week while studying and praying through the discipline of intercession. If I were to sing this in corporate worship, I imagine a certain healing would take place.
In the meantime, I'll hum along on my own with the digitally condensed synthesizer on the hymnal sites. (verse 5 just about wrecks me)

Lord, as to thy dear cross we flee,
and plead to be forgiven,
so let thy life our pattern be,
and form our souls for heaven.

Help us through good report and ill
our daily cross to bear,
like thee to do our Father's will,
our brethren's grief to share.

Let grace our selfishness expel,
our earthliness refine,
and kindness in our being dwell,
as free and true as thine.

If joy shall at thy bidding fly,
and grief's dark day come on,
we in our turn would meekly cry,
Father, thy will be done.

Should friends misjudge, or foes defame,
or brethren faithless prove,
then, like thine own, be all our aim
to conquer them by love.

Kept peaceful in the midst of strife,
forgiving and forgiven,
O may we lead the pilgrim's life
and follow thee to heaven.

Words: John Hampden Gurney, 1838
Music: Windsor, St. Bernard, Westminster New, St. Frances