Feature I Lent resources

LENT FOCUS

by Secretary for Spiritual Life Development LieutColonel Jayne Roberts

DURING this final week of Lent, and over the Easter weekend, you are invited to pray with Scripture, to meditate on God’s word and seek to apply the daily text personally.

Sunday 14 April – Palm Sunday ‘Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt” (John 12:14 and 15).

Jesus entered Jerusalem as a humble pilgrim. Did anyone in the city recognise that this was the fulfilment of Zechariah’s ancient prophecy? May our hearts be full of praise today for our humble Lord.

Monday 15 April ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds’ (John 12:23 and 24).

Jesus continues to teach his disciples, even in his final days. May we pray for a willingness to commit our lives to the Lord, whatever the cost, that we may be fruitful disciples.

Tuesday 16 April ‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself’ (John 12:32).

Jesus said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. These words have been fulfilled through the years. The cross of Calvary has changed the world. Pray that during this Holy Week the witness of Christ’s followers will continue to bring people to Jesus.

Wednesday 17 April ‘It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end’ (John 13:1).

Take time today to think about the love expressed here by Jesus for ‘his own’, his disciples. How might this prompt you to express love in actions and attitudes to those closest to you?

Thursday 18 April – Maundy Thursday ‘Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him’ (John 13:16).

Jesus shares precious truths about being a servant and being a messenger. Let us pray that we may not only know but also do these things and enjoy the blessings promised by our Lord.

Friday 19 April – Good Friday ‘When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit’ (John 19:30).

On this day Jesus was crucified on the cross of Calvary. From the moment he said ‘It is finished’ our salvation was assured. Thank you, Jesus, for your amazing love!

Saturday 20 April ‘Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders’ (John 19:38).

May this verse inspire prayers for followers of Christ who, even in our day and age, must be secret disciples in lands where Christians are oppressed and persecuted. May God grant them his strength and protection.

Sunday 21 April – Easter Day ‘Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed’ (John 20:8).

On this Easter Day may we be found rejoicing with those who have not seen the risen Christ but who nevertheless believe. Let us thank God for the

blessings received during our Lenten journey. He is risen! Hallelujah!

O The Lent Focus appears in Prayer Matters, January to April 2019