St. Nicolai Notes

Prayer for Lent - Day 8 - Thursday (February 25, 2021)
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:17-26

     Jesus, we rejoice in You as God's Chosen One. We rejoice that You have shown us what a fully human life looks like. We rejoice that, in You, all the instruction, command, warning, and promise of Torah and prophecy have been fulfilled: 

        You have acted in total obedience. 

        You have demonstrated extraordinary compassion. 

        You have brought healing to many.

        You have liberated people from spiritual and political oppression.

        You have breathed the Spirit of God upon your people.

        You have enacted God's goodness.

        You have embodied God's fullness.

        You have given your life for your friends.

        You have brought the entire creation into a unified relationship with God.

    Forgive us when we fool ourselves into thinking that following You is easy. Forgive us when we think that the life of faith is one with few demands.

    Let our faith in You, our loyalty to You, be expressed by following You into all of the places that You lead. Encourage us by your example. Energize us by your Spirit. Renew us and use us to renew your creation. Amen.