Back to the wilderness again ????

Good Evening Dear Family of God and Love!

I knew it couldn't last! We have been given directions from this morning's Gospel to go back in to the wilderness. God knows that camp outs are not my thing and I haven't learned much from Jesus and John the Baptist, or the Chosen People who went wandering in the desert for that matter. But we are here every year on the First Sunday in Lent facing this yearly journey. So here is the plan: Tonight we  make vigil,read the lessons from today, pray and get ready for our time together in the wilderness. Today we will take a break from our daily doses of psalmody as a change of pace and continue on tomorrow. 

Let's engage in the "Be stills" to center ourselves. 

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.



I make my prayer to you, O God; * be merciful to me.
I make my prayer to you, O God; be merciful to me.
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you:
Be merciful to me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
I make my prayer to you, O God, be merciful to me.
V. Create in me a clean heart, O God:
R. And renew a right spirit within me.


Dear Ones- It is our time for our Virtual Candlelight Prayer Vigils. Let us light our candles and be at prayer. Tonight we pray for peace and an end to all forms of violence and armed hostility. We pray for the people of Syria who endured bombings of hospitals, schools, and all civilian casualties. We pray for an end to the famines in Africa and around the world remembering Somalia . We pray for Standing Rock and all the world's indigenous peoples whose lands and sacred spaces are being taken away. We pray for all immigrants, refugees, and victims of human trafficking who have been brought to this country by coyotes. We pray that we may become good stewards of God's Cathedral of Life. We pray for our LGBTQ family members who yet again are being targets of governmental actions that threaten their human rights of inclusion, justice, equity, and equality. We pray for the disabled who are being treated as outcasts yet again. We pray for the poor. We pray for an end to division. May we seek to build bridges and tear down walls and learn to listen and find ways to work together for the common good. We pray for an end to hatred, bigotry, violence, and anything that separates God's family members from each other. We pray for CALM (Compassion, Acceptance, Love and Mercy) We pray for our family members this week and that we may build each other up with love and by sharing what we have with the least of these in humble and gentle service. Let us pray that we may practice random acts of kindness. Let us love one another with open heart homes that expand with every new family member we meet.We pray these prayers in the Name of God our Creator and of many Names, Jesus our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit our Advocate and Guide. Amen.



A Song of the Wilderness

Isaiah 35:1-7,10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, *
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
It shall blossom abundantly, *
and rejoice with joy and singing.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, *
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weary hands, *
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to the anxious, “Be strong, do not fear! *
Here is your God, coming with judgment to save you.”
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, *
and the ears of the deaf be unstopped.
Then shall the lame leap like a deer, *
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness *
and streams in the desert;
The burning sand shall become a pool *
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
The ransomed of God shall return with singing, *
with everlasting joy upon their heads.
Joy and gladness shall be theirs, *

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Let us hear the words of scripture for this the First Sunday in Lent beginning with the Collect! 

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’“ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

Psalm 32

Beati quorum

1 Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *
and whose sin is put away!
2 Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, *
and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3 While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, *
because of my groaning all day long.
4 For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; *
my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, *
and did not conceal my guilt.
6 I said," I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." *
Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
7 Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble; *
when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
8 You are my hiding-place;
you preserve me from trouble; *
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
9 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; *
I will guide you with my eye.
10 Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; *
who must be fitted with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you."
11 Great are the tribulations of the wicked; *
but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord.
12 Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; *
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.

Romans 5:12-19

As sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned-- sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man's trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,

‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ 
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God, 
and serve only him.’”
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.


God you call us every year to make a journey back into the wilderness. We know that these times are seldom easy but they are necessary to make our Lenten experience more full and  and meaningful. Give us courage to set our feet upon the journey you have created for us without fear but with faith. Before we do this let us pray.

We pray for all of us who need times of reflection and deep spiritual guidance away from the hustle and bustle of the world that is clanging outside our walls.

We pray that as we take this time of  our yearly wilderness journey that our families may be taken care of and that we may have faith to leave them in your loving arms.

We pray for peace in our hearts even when we hear the cries of human and animal life or sirens outside our walls.

We pray for peace in the world and an end to violence, rough speech, bigotry, and hatred.  Give us kind words as we speak to our family members each day and all living things that you have made.

We pray for all of our loved ones who are ill that they may be entrusted to your care and the care of others as we spend time in prayer and contemplation. 

We pray this night especially for the least of these and our enemies  who are continually on our hearts and minds and that we may never forget that they are our family members. Help us to learn to love them as we listen and learn from you on this our pilgrim journey into the wilderness. 

We  pray in the words that Jesus taught us that are perfect for a beginning of  a journey into the wilderness. Let us hear, pray, and read this prayer in the words from the Message:

Matthew 6:5-15The Message (MSG)

Pray with Simplicity

5 “And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?

6 “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

7-13 “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
    as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
    Yes. Yes. Yes.

14-15 “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.

+++++

Now let us pray in the traditional form

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,for ever and ever. Amen.

God we pray for all who are in any kind of wilderness situation of either body, mind, spirit, and personal circumstances. Give them courage and faith to confront these times without fear and in the assurance of your presence.

We lift up these our prayers in the name of Jesus who spent time in the wilderness 40 days and 40 nights. Amen.

Extra prayers !

ForTravelers

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel in particular all of us who are traveling and making our yearly pilgrimage into the wilderness; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

60. For Protection

Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by thy gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

61. A Prayer of Self-Dedication

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

62. A Prayer attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

God of all goodness help us we pray as we enter this time of going into our own wilderness experience with You, Jesus, and each other. 

God we pray that when temptations befall us we may find ourselves leaning on you for help and that we may know that with you "All things are possible"

God we pray for the least of these who remind us of what it must have been like for the Disciples when they began their early ministry. Help us to gently and humbly,love, care, serve, and protect them wherever they may be.

God we pray for all of us who are experiencing spiritual dry spells that we may find this a time of rest and listening to you with the ears of our hearts and heart homes. 

God we pray for all of our families who may not practice our faith and that they may learn to understand why we do the things we do. We pray that they may find You when they are ready.

God we pray for an end to violence and terror. We pray that peace may prevail upon earth and that we may do in the words of Micah 'Do Justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God".

God we pray for all who are battling illness and who are hospitalized. We pray for our family members who are waiting and sitting vigil beside their loved ones waiting for healing  and those who are in wait for their loved ones to transition into the Thin Places.

God we pray for _______________________________

God we give thanks for__________________________

God we pray for sound government in this our nation and in the nations of the world and that a spirit of respect may grow and prosper. Help the politicians to lay down their verbal weaponry and seek only to do good for the people they have been elected to serve. 

God we pray for our youth and that they may not be led into gangs and violence ant they may find positive ways to live their lives. We pray for all those who are parents and who mentor our youth.

God we pray for our cities and towns that they may be protected from violence and hatred.

God we pray that we may have love energy to be enlivened to do your will and show your love and light to your fragile and broken world.

All these prayers we offer and lay them at your feet Lord Jesus. Amen.

Wishes for today:

Every child has a loving and safe family in which to thrive and grow.

Every person on the planet has a home where they can live and be safe from harm and violence.

++++++

Good Night Family and Fellow Pilgrims into the Wilderness. I love you and give thanks that we will be making this journey together. 

With love and a light load,

Sara

Resources:
Lectionary Page
Book of Common Prayer
Enriching our Worship
Book of Occasional Services