Lent

The streets have been cleared in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Fat Tuesday is over and Ash Wednesday is upon us. Lent is the season of "giving up" or "fasting" as we anticipate the season of Easter.


In a culture rife with consuming and amassing things, Lent seems like a foreign language. Denying ourselves is not a value that comes naturally, but Lent gives pilgrims on the journey an opportunity to pause and focus on this season of the year.

Here is the prayer that I will be praying over the Lenten season:

God of second chances and new beginnings

I am always amazed

that you choose to use me for

your kingdom purposes

you use me as I am

Imperfect

Flawed

Ordinary

Tending sometimes not to do my best

Prone to error

And very inclined to trip and fall

Always your grace 

is greater than my mistakes and stumblings

Thank you, O God

For using me in spite of myself!

Unfailing God

Remind me often that,

in your sight

failure is never final.

By your grace, enable me to deal with

my own failures constructively

and with the failures of others patiently.

Let it be so.

Amen