PRAYERS FOR OUR LENTEN SEASON
He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. (Colossians 2:14-15 NLT)
During this Lenten season, I paused again, with so many others in this holy time, to consider what the cross means to me. The gift of Jesus’ forgiveness has brought such freedom to me. But have I, in other ways, tried to carry a debt load that has already been lifted away from me? What kind of worship and prayers for our Lenten season could I offer to Him?
CONTEMPLATING WHAT IT MEANS TO GIVE BURDENS TO JESUS
I contemplated the way that I have heard Jesus ask me to let Him carry my burden. I thought about the many times that He has asked me to let Him sustain me in my weaknesses. It seemed to be a constant refrain that I forget to absorb.
If this disease that I carry is a result of this fallen world, then why do I act as if the fault remains with me? Have you felt that judgment concerning your own pain and weakness?
WHAT KIND OF VICTORY HAS JESUS WON FOR US?
As I looked at the Greek meanings of some of the words of this Scripture at Biblehub.com I was amazed at the intensity of those simple words that had seemed to slip past me:
- “disarmed” can mean to divest wholly, strip
- “shamed” can mean to expose them, (Satan’s rulers)
- “Victory” can mean to cause to triumph
If Jesus divested wholly and shamed the real cause of this diseased world, which is Satan, then why have I allowed my heart to act as if my own body is the cause of this disease? My Jesus carries me with such compassion to his father’s heart, and He views me as whole and complete. What a joy to know that He is not offended in any way by my pain and disease.
While I wait for the full healing that is to come, either here or finally in Heaven, HE has taken every charge that has been racked up against me, and nailed it all to his own cross. What a wonderful realization of His love. We can thank Him through these prayers for our Lenten season.
WHAT A SAVIOR! WHAT A GLORIOUS LORD WE HAVE!
Shuffling alone
I carried my illness
As a charge
Marked only for me
My lot in life.
But Jesus stepped in
Cancelled my debt
exposed the
True cause
Of this world’s pain.
Evil rulers now shamed
As Jesus nailed every charge
Onto His cross
And rose victorious
My burden to lift.
Oh, Praise His name
Rejoice with me, friend
Freedom is won
No longer ashamed
Our record is clean.
Jesus our Savior now carries us.
OFFER WORSHIP THROUGH PRAYERS FOR OUR LENTEN SEASON
Will you join us, and pause with these six Scriptures and Prayers for our Lenten season? Jesus carried every charge against us, and nailed it to his cross. And now we are freely carried by Him. During this Lenten season, our prayers can be filled with worship for the freedom He has given us.
Questions for Reflection:
- Have you carried your illness as a charge marked against you?
- Could you journal your thoughts about those charges?
- How would Jesus call you to lift those charges up to him?
- In what ways can you thank Jesus for nailing every charge against you to his cross?
JOIN US IN PRAYERS FOR OUR LENTEN SEASON
PRAYER #1
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. … ‘She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Mark 14:3,8
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for telling us the story of how one woman walked into a room full of important people and was not ashamed to pour out her most precious gift for you.
Sometimes we hold our praises back, feeling that we are unworthy to be included with those who seem more able to vocally and physically display their praise. But you treasure each gift from our heart.
Oh, Lord Jesus, we are so thankful for the grace you have given to us. We long to give to you our most precious gifts of praise. And we place them before you now and ask that You would receive each one. You are so lovely to us.
In Your name we pray,
Amen.
PRAYER #2
So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for being the sacrifice that we have so needed. Thank you for taking away our sins and giving us new life.
Oh, Lord, will you lift our eyes to watch for your coming? Our bodies feel so painful and weary, and we long for the full salvation that awaits us in Heaven. Will you fix our hope securely in you?
And will you help us to pray for our loved ones who are also struggling in this broken world? Please lift their eyes to see the salvation that you have waiting for them also.
In your precious name we pray,
Amen.
PRAYER #3
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:27
Dear Lord Jesus,
What a precious gift You have given for us! Thank You for shedding Your own blood so that we could know forgiveness. Lord, we are so aware of all of our shortcomings, all of our faults.
But thank You that You have brought us into the New Covenant, and you have washed us clean to commune with You. Help us to offer all of our needs, all of our joys up to You. Help us to bring You our praise even now, in the moments of our days.
In Your name we pray,
Amen.
PRAYER #4
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:35-36
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for giving your all for us! Thank you for showing us, even in your last days here, how to surrender our own wills to the Glorious will of our Father.
We sometimes feel that our hearts cannot surrender, it is too hard for us to let go. But you have given us your own life, your own example even in this. Help us now to gladly lay down our lives, and echo your words: “yet not what I will, but what you will.”
In your name we pray,
Amen.
PRAYER #5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
Dear Lord Jesus,
How can we ever thank you enough for all you have given for us? We deserved the punishment–it was our sin that took you to the cross. When we were dead, unable to find life, you brought us peace with God and true healing for our souls.
When the days seem dark, help us to lift our eyes and praise you, our Lord! Your death brings us life even today.
In your name we pray,
Amen.
PRAYER #6
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’ Mark 15:37-39 NIV
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for giving your breath of life that we might live. Thank you for surrendering your body so that our bodies might be redeemed. And thank you for opening the way to the Father so that we could become true sons and daughters of the Living God.
Our hearts are overwhelmed by what you have given for us. Help us to offer our lives back to you. Help us to lay our burdens and our concerns before you now. We are filled with such love for you, our living Savior.
In your name we pray,
Amen.
Bettie Gilbert
Chronic Joy Contributing Writer
You can find Bettie blogging from her home in the far north suburbs of Chicago at bettiegsraseasons.com. She is walking forward with Jesus in the middle of her pain and weakness from multiple chronic illnesses. The beauty of nature and her family (including nine young grandchildren) are Bettie's joys. She and her husband have been married for over 40 years and take great delight in their weekend coffee breaks together.
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