Each week during Lent, we are providing you with this Daily Devotional Guide. Please use these resources to reflect on this week's passages: verses from a Psalm of provision, as well as a Bible story of God's provision in the wilderness. We also invite you to join our Wednesday evening prayers at 7 pm (available to view below), Sunday communion worship at 10 am, and to walk our outdoor prayer path. A new station of the prayer path will be added weekly! Church members also received this Devotional Guide as a bookmark. If you didn't receive one or would like additional copies, feel free to stop by the church during office hours.
Week One
Opening Sentence: As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for you, living God.
Silence
Prayer: Gracious God, we open ourselves to you. You have the words that give life. Speak into our lives and change us deep inside where it matters. Through Jesus Christ the Lord.
Bible Reading: Psalm 107:1-9, Mark 1:9-13 (or Matthew 4:1-11)
Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.
Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things. - Psalm 107:1-9
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted[a] by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. - Mark 1:9-13
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. - Matthew 4:1-11
Notice what God brings to your attention … Ponder what moves your heart and mind … Respond in prayer as you are moved … Rest quietly in the presence of the Lord.
Free Prayer
Statement of Faith (Celtic Daily Prayer)
Sunday: Lord, you have always given bread for the coming day; And though I am poor, today I believe.
Monday: Lord, you have always given strength for the coming day; And though I am weak, today I believe.
Tuesday: Lord, you have always given peace for the coming day; And though of anxious heart, today I believe.
Wednesday: Lord, you have always kept me safe in trials; And now, tried as I am, today I believe.
Thursday: Lord, you have always marked the road for the coming day; And though it may be hidden, today I believe.
Friday: Lord, you have always lightened this darkness of mine; And though the night is here, today I believe.
Saturday: Lord, you have always spoken when time was ripe; And though You be silent now, today I believe.
Assurance: The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in love. Amen. (Psalm 145:5)