A Lenten Prayer

O Lord and Master of my life,
Grant not unto me a spirit of idleness,
of discouragement,
of lust for power,
and of vain speaking.

But bestow upon me, Thy servant,
the spirit of chastity,
of meekness,
of patience,
and of love.

Yea, O Lord and King,
grant that I may perceive
my own transgressions,
and judge not my brother,
for blessed art Thou
unto ages of ages.
Amen. 

St. Ephraim, 4th Century

A Prayer for Lent

Posted by Leona Bergstrom

I grew up in a Christian environment, but not one that honored the Lenten season in the same way as others. I was always curious about people giving up things they enjoyed, or eating fish instead of meat, or coming to school with ash strokes on their foreheads. As an adult I’ve begun to appreciate the nuances of piety and devotion found in the Lenten season. But am I really ready for sacrifice? This prayer by Christine Sine, Executive Director of Mustard Seed Associates, challenges my heart to the core.

We have chosen to fast
Not with ashes but with actions
Not with sackcloth but in sharing
Not in thoughts but in deeds
We will give up our abundance
To share our food with the hungry
We will give up our comfort
To provide homes for the destitute
We will give up our fashions
To see the naked clothed
We will share where others hoard
We will free where others oppress
We will heal where others harm
Then God’s light will break out on us 

God’s healing will quickly appear
God will guide us always
God’s righteousness will go before us
We will find our joy in the Lord
We will be like a well watered garden
We will be called repairers of broken walls
Together we will feast at God’s banquet table”

-A prayer by Christine Sine, Mustard Seed Associates

(Photo by jslater316, shared via Flickr)