Lent 2020 – Week 7
Welcome to the final week of our Lenten journey. This week, we will:
1). Focus on the Lord’s Prayer = “For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
2). Read Scripture = Psalm 147:1-20
3). Fasting = Tuesday breakfast and lunch
The Lord’s Prayer
How easy it is for us to think this whole thing is all about us! As humans, we fall prey to a selfish mentality on a regular basis. Then we justify it by convincing ourselves that “if we don’t take care of ourselves, no one else will.” This kind of thinking assumes control….but, there can only be One who has full control. As we focus our prayers on this line this week, think about the sovereignty of God, His will for us and the hundreds of ways He’s remained faithful to ALL His people!
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Scripture for April 5 – 11
Don’t forget to sit and soak, as we read God’s Word. It’s important to listen intently and rely on His Word to mold us and form us into His image.
Psalm 147
1 Praise the Lord.[a]
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.
6 The Lord sustains the humble
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;
make music to our God on the harp.
8 He covers the sky with clouds;
he supplies the earth with rain
and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He provides food for the cattle
and for the young ravens when they call.
10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
11 the Lord delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
12 Extol the Lord, Jerusalem;
praise your God, Zion.
13 He strengthens the bars of your gates
and blesses your people within you.
14 He grants peace to your borders
and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
15 He sends his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow like wool
and scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
Who can withstand his icy blast?
18 He sends his word and melts them;
he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.
19 He has revealed his word to Jacob,
his laws and decrees to Israel.
20 He has done this for no other nation;
they do not know his laws.[b]
Praise the Lord.
Fasting
This week, we will again fast breakfast and lunch on Tuesday. For any questions regarding fasting, please see Jeff’s previous post on the topic…..especially if you are unable to fast from food for dietary/health reasons. The key is to sacrifice something in order to specifically focus on the LORD.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Lenten 2020 season. I’ve learned a lot! I’m still learning everyday….and I hope to continue learning more and more about WHO God is, WHAT He’s done and WHO He’s calling me to be! You are loved, valued and appreciated by me and our entire staff at Grace!
Praying fervently for each of you….-Stephen