Lent is a Time of Prayer

Lent Devotional // Week 6

by Becky Tiemann

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew tells us that Jesus often withdrew to private places to pray. After He fed the five thousand, He sent His disciples ahead to the other side of the water. He went up a mountain side by Himself to pray. The very night He was to be betrayed, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray alone.

Prayer is our connection to God. We can pray for His comfort for ourselves and for others. We must pray prayers of thanks to God Almighty to honor and glorify His name. We must pray for forgiveness for our sins. When our prayers focus on God, our daily troubles lessen. Our prayers should be a confident sign that we trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us; that we trust in Jesus to save us; that we love God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind.

Next week is Holy Week, a perfect time for personal prayer time. Just as Jesus went to pray alone, so should we find a quiet place to pray. That is the beauty of prayer – God listens wherever we are. A moment while in the car alone. A few minutes with the morning coffee. The last thought at night before sleep overcomes.

Devote yourself to prayer during this time leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. It truly is an amazing love that He would die for us.

Prayer

Dear Father of Mankind, I surrender myself to Thee. You are my Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Your majesty and glory are worthy of unending praise. Thank you for your peace and comfort. Forgive me when I fail you as I forgive others. Strengthen me daily as I seek to live as Jesus lived, loving God and my neighbor with all my heart.

Amen.