Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in [all the testing].*
God of the Living Word, each year we journey through the season of Lent by emulating your Son’s trying time in the wilderness where he fasted and prayed then overcame temptation. As this prayer is published, we are about 10 to 12 days into our time of preparation in our wilderness. Be with us as we struggle to maintain our commitment to fast, to give alms, to study your word, and to pray more fervently. We take on these practices to increase our devotion to you and pray that our efforts are pleasing in your sight.
The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels!
Angels came and took care of Jesus’ needs.**
God of the Heavenly Realm, you sent angels to care for Jesus after his testing was over, help us to be mindful of the angels you send us. Give us the wisdom to see them at work here and now, and to give thanks for their efforts in real time. In the mortal realm, we see first responders and those in the caring professions as angels, stepping in where others fear to tread. We pray that you will sustain them in their efforts to help and comfort others.
Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!***
God of the Expanding Kingdom, help us to shift our Lenten journey from a personal, inward struggle to an outward expression of your radical hospitality. Despite our efforts to build community, there is still so much strife in the world. We pray for your guidance to strengthen our resolve to do more. Transform our fast into an opportunity to share our food with the hungry, expand our alms giving to include more time spent with the sick and the lonely, and extend our study of your word into the call for action it demands. With these efforts, we pray that we will support angels unaware. Amen.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer,
Stacey Neale
Notes that all scripture verses come from The Message: *Matt 4:1-3; **Matt 4:11; ***Hebrews 13:2
