When I speak, let it be of blessing and gratitude; let your glory within me shine out to the world![Psalm 145:21]
A Lenten Prayer - from Henri Nouwen's The Road to Daybreak
The Lenten season begins. It is a time to be with you, Lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death.I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life.
I know that Lent is going to be a very hard time for me. The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life. I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. There are not times or places without choices. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you.
Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and in every place. Give me the strength and the courage to live this season faithfully, so that, when Easter comes, I will be able to taste with joy the new life that you have prepared for me. Amen.
Lenten Book Discussion Begins Today!
Join us during Lent as we reflect on Henri Nouwen's The Return of the Prodigal Son: A
Story of Homecoming. Facilitated by Brynn Lawrence and Ray Glennon. You are welcome to participate in any way that is spiritually nourishing for you!
READ * REFLECT * SHARE Lenten prayer from The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey(February 11, 1986) by Henri J.M. Nouwen. Copyright ©1988. Published by Doubleday, New York. Used with kind permission. Scripture (chosen by M. Wright) from New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Banner image by S. Sheehan. Photo of Henri Nouwen by Frank Hamilton. Images used with kind permission.
Suggested Lenten Reading
Life of the Beloved
Finding My Way Home
A Spirituality of Homecoming
Home Tonight
A Wondrous Love
The Return of the Prodigal Son
Share this invitation
Henri Nouwen Society
PO Box 220522
St. Louis, Missouri 63122 United States
Henri Nouwen Society
Henri Nouwen Society
95 St. Joseph Street, Room 214
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada
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