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Our
Lenten Journey for 2000:
Prayers of the Passion
I'm sure I can easily say that all Christians
pray in some form or another. This is part of what our faith is about:
coming before God with our concerns, requests, and simply with a desire
to get to know God more closely as one of his people. I believe I
can also say that most of us have prayed truly earnestly
for something that touches us to the very core of our being. Our
need is so desperate that we can't bear to think of the loss occurring,
or the need going unfulfilled or we are so surprised by grief or tragedy
that we are crushed.
It is at these times, times when our lives
are brought to the brink, that we discover whether or not our faith is
there with us -- whether or not we have a "faith for the hard times," or
a faith that's “just for fun.”
The Lenten series for this year explores
some of the "Prayers of the Passion" -- prayers offered either by Christ
or to him as he made his way to the cross. By looking deeply at these
prayers, we will find help in understanding the needs and concerns of others
and, perhaps, also find help in our own journeys of faith.
The series begins at 7:00 p.m. on Ash Wednesday,
March 8th, and continues through Good Friday, April 2lst. The subjects
for the various weeks are:
1. "Let This Cup Pass,” explores
our need to go through some of the more difficult aspects of life, on Ash
Wednesday, March 8th.
2. "Why Have You Forsaken Me!"
We ask this when we can't seem to hear God's voice in the dark. How
do we listen, and what will it sound like?
3. “Father, Forgive Them" helps
us explore the true cost of forgiveness, and the cost of withholding it.
4. "Jesus, Remember Me" invites
us to place ourselves before the mercy of God because of Jesus' sacrifice
on the cross.
5. "Into Your Hands I Commend My Spirit"
explores a life lived in the hands of God.
6. “Simon, I Have Prayed for You"
looks at Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer" from John 17, exploring what Jesus
wanted for his disciples and for us.
7. "He Gave Thanks.” Jesus
surely knew, at least in part, what was to come. Why was he thankful?
For Maundy Thursday, April 20th.
8. "Thy Will Be Done" is prayed
when we finally understand that God's Plan, his Greater Purpose for us,
is beyond what we think we may need or want.
Each week a special prayer card will be
given out which has a devotional reminder of the message to help us grow
in our faith in preparation for the great celebration of Easter.
Except for Ash Wednesday, each Wednesday
service will be preceded by a marvelous Lenten Soup supper which begins
at 6 p.m.
God's Blessings on your Lenten Journey,
Pastor Larry Becker
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