The life of any disciple is one of fits and starts, of sin, of mercy and reconciliation. The saints walked that same path, no matter how finished they might appear to us now. It is tempting to get frustrated as we compare ourselves to that (incorrect) vision of holiness, but as St. Paul himself writes here, when we sincerely put God first, none of our labor for the Kingdom is in vain.
Lent, that most welcomed season of honest self-examination, begins in a few days. As one of those companions on the journey—Dorothy Day—a woman acutely aware of her own failings, yet also confident that the Lord’s work through her weakness was not in vain, encourages: This is Lent, and Lent is a wonderful time to begin again.
Thank you, Amy, for this reflection. I am looking forward to Lent. Meditating & working on improving myself from the inside out as well as praying for others. "Success in life consists of standing without shame before God." St. Charles Makhlouf
Amen. :)
Amen!
Amen.
Since you asked Ken, today is Garrett’s birthday and asking God to make it a better year for him than last. And my older son, a non-believer but a good person, just signed a contract on a house and I will be praying feverishly throughout lent that all goes smoothly with the sale of the home and, as he no longer lives with us, that his relationship with the Heavenly Father will bloom. I will be praying for our group as a whole and for each of you by name throughout this Lenten season as well! PS Ken, I absolutely prayers for those departed and living who have no one to pray for them have befitted immensely through your encouragement here!
*** Being a disciple is a slave for Jesus in Colossians 3:23-24, “Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Work because you know that you will finally receive as a reward what the Lord wants you to have. You are slaves of the Lord Christ!” *** Jesus’ power working in my weaknesses in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, “Three times I (Paul) begged the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I (Paul) am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ’s power can rest on me!” *** Not my labor but the work of the Holy Spirit in John 14:26-27, “But the Father will send the Friend in My Name (Jesus) to help you. The Friend is the Holy Spirit. He will teach you all things. He will remind you of everything I have said to you. I leave My peace with you. I give My peace to you. I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled. And do not be afraid!” ******* My prayer for the LFFamily in Romans 15:13, “May the God Who gives hope fill you with great joy. May you have perfect peace as you trust in Him. May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope!” Amen ❤️✝️❤️
BLESS MORNING LOVE DAD FOREVER My prayer May God grant us the grace to walk in humility, always seeking to build up others in love and truth. May He shape our hearts to reflect His kindness and wisdom in all that we do. Keep pressing into Him! O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for your name's sake. Amen
Jesus, Comforter of all the suffering, help us bring Your comfort into every heart and life to which You are longing to express that comfort through us. Use us, Lord. Our years may be many or few. Place us where we can best serve You, and influence the most for You. Amen.
To Ken, if it's not too late, for my daughter trying to reduce her pain med dependence.
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Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those in need. Come to the side of those experiencing violence in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, and the Sudan. Please hear the pleas of all those suffering around the world - and give them strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.