A Time for Reflection and Repentance

Generous in love—God, give grace!
    Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record.
Scrub away my guilt,
    soak out my sins in your laundry.

Psalm 51:1-2 (MSG)

This year, I have decided to keep my Listening on the Journey… blog posts simple during the season of Lent. Each post will consist of a prayer or blessing I hope will make this sacred season more meaningful to you.

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, which ushered in the spiritually somber Lent season. People who attended Ash Wednesday services received an ash cross on their foreheads, and they were reminded of the importance of reflection and repentance.

     Since the first of this year, my husband and I have been using a free app called Daily Prayer, as our morning couple devotional. Daily Prayer is an Anglican guide to spiritual rhythms, and Ron and I have found it a special way to begin our day.

In addition to Scripture from the Old and New Testaments and The Lord’s Prayer, each morning the Prayer of Confession from The Book of Common Prayer is included. These words have spoken to me often, reminding me of ways—subtle and not so subtle—when I mess up:

Most merciful God,

We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,

By what we have done,

And by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole hearts;

We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

Have mercy on us and forgive us;

That we may delight in your will,

And walk in your ways,

To the glory of your Name.

Amen 

In closing, I would like to add:

Thank you, God, for your generous love, grace, and mercy, which I need so often!

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