Lent 2021 Daily Devotion

RECOGNIZE READ: Luke 24:13-35 REFLECT:Where have you seen God this week?? PRAY: Holy God, you are right in front of me. So often we are face to face, and yet so often I miss it! I want to recognize you, but more than that, I want to walk with you. I want to eat with you. I want to rejoice with you. You are on the loose— out in the world. Thanks be to God. I will keep…

DENY READ: John 13:36-38 REFLECT:When have you been in denial?When have you denied others?When have you denied God? PRAY: Holy God, Peter denied. I understand why. Being a Christian in this world is not easy. People have assumptions about what I believe, who I am, who I include. I find myself tempted to defend my beliefs, or to downplay how much I long for you.…

TEND READ: John 19:38-42 REFLECT:When have you witnessed someone tending to a difficult task? PRAY: God of grace, in the aftermath of violence, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried your son. They tended to the body, because even after death, your incarnate life mattered. Help me to tend to the difficult tasks that honor you. Amen. —Prayer by Rev. Sarah Are | A…

LIGHT READ: John 12:34-36 REFLECT:Who or what serves as a nightlight in your life—helping you see where you are, helping to guide your path? PRAY: God of light, if I am walking, I want to walk toward the dawn. I want to walk into the sun. I want to walk closer to you. There are many long shadows that can distract and deter. Help guide my feet. Be my light. Gratefully…

ANXIOUS READ: Philippians 4:4-9 REFLECT:When have you experienced anxiety in your life?What did it feel like?What steps do you take to center yourself?Where is God in that? PRAY: What did it feel like? What steps do you take to center yourself? Where is God in that? God of peace, we are all a little bit anxious. Our world moves so fast. How could we not be? I know…

WISH READ: John 12:20-21 REFLECT:What wishes do you have—for your faith,for your relationship with God,for your relationship with yourself? PRAY: Gracious God, there is much that I wish for. I wish for longer Sabbath days, for starry nights, for peace in my bones, for love in this city. However, above all else, I wish to see you. I wish for a closer relationship with…

HOSANNA READ: John 12:9-19 REFLECT:Imagine yourself at the parade.Would you sing Hosanna?Would you be afraid?Picture the sights, the smells, the crowd.For a moment, put yourself there. PRAY: Great teacher, you rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. It was a peaceful protest, but it was risky. You had to have known that this would end in violence, for who could stand…

OVERTURN READ: Matthew 21:12-17 REFLECT:What rhythms, habits, perspectives, narratives, or ways of thinking need to be overturned in your life? PRAY: God of justice, you have never hesitated to overturn unjust structures—power systems, tables, stereotypes. In many ways, this can feel shocking to us. We humans are known for moving slowly when it comes to change or…

UNBIND READ: John 11:28-44 REFLECT:What do you grieve in this world?What does that grief feel like?What unbinds or loosens that hurt? PRAY: Jesus of Nazareth, you wept tears for Lazarus, which means you know what grief feels like. We wish that you could miraculously heal all losses like you did with Lazarus, for death is never fair or convenient. However, we ask that…

BUILD READ: Jeremiah 29:4-7 REFLECT:What needs building up in your life?How can you start? PRAY: Creator God, you invited the Israelites to build houses, to build gardens, to build relationships; so there is something holy about building. Help me survey my life to imagine what you might be calling me to build today. Is it community? Is it a home? Is it new…