Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you

1 Peter 5:6

Lent is only a day old, and I’m guessing that many people who attended Ash Wednesday church services yesterday have already forgotten the message they heard. This isn’t meant to be an insult - it is just what happens since we’re all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. And that is why I love this church season! It gives pastors a daily opportunity to urge their church members and those in the greater community to reflect upon their sins and repent them before God.

Lent requires us to be humble. We recognize during this season that we’re not perfect and are sinners in need of a Savior. Without Jesus Christ, as we live under the mighty hand of God, our ends would be in the eternal fires of hell. But through Jesus, our Lord, by believing in Him alone for salvation, our lives will continue in heaven and on the new earth following our resurrection. We see God’s eternal love for us in the Gospel and know He has done it all so we can be with Him forever. Be humble this Thursday and every day.

PRAYERS

Loving Father in heaven, keep my eyes and heart focused on Your love for me and all believers this day. Grant me the courage to love others as You have loved me. And bless me with the confidence that my sins are forgiven through Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, through whom I pray. Amen.

Luther’s Morning Prayer:

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.. Amen.

Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Photo by Nuno Silva on Unsplash