Heavenly Father,
thank you for new mercies this day.
Great is Thy faithfulness.
Let our souls rise to meet You, as the day will rise to meet the sun.
During the spiritual retreat of Lent,
Thy will be done that I be made like Christ.
Teach and equip us in Your ways;
humbly to follow the path You lead us on.
May our steps of how, when, and where
lead to a greater trust in Christ.
Lord Jesus, we remember
the temptations and testing you encountered and overcame.
Likewise, give us grace to do Your work, Your way.
Have mercy on us towards obedience,
to bear with one another;
to persevere in trials and sufferings;
despite the taunts and doubts from the enemy.
Thank you for the love and support of biblical community.
As we open our arms and hearts to one another,
strengthen us through a bond of peace.
We echo with John Emest Bode:
“O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my guide.
O let me feel Thee near me: the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.”