St. Nicolai Notes

Lenten Prayer - Day 13 - Third Wednesday (March 3, 2021)
Gospel Reading: Matthew 6:7-15

     Listening One, we rejoice in You! We rejoice in your creative love, in the ways You have revealed yourself to us in Christ Jesus, and in your readiness to answer prayer.

     Do not let us babble incessantly when we pray, but help us to align both our prayer and our daily lives with your reign of compassion, forgiveness, justice, and peace. We await, with hope, the day when your reign will be fully consummated, and fully evident, throughout your creation, when all people, and every created thing, will be fully united with You through Christ Jesus. 

     God of all, You are holy . . . wonderful . . . glorious! Let our lives show, each day, that we affirm your incomparability from the depth of our being. 

     We trust in You for our most basic need, in fact, for every need. Remind us that we do not live by bread alone. Fully banish anxiety from our hearts and minds.

     We acknowledge our sinfulness and ask You for forgiveness. As we receive your forgiveness, enable us to relinquish control over others and forgive every manner of debt that is owed to us.

     By the guidance of your Spirit, lead us past the pitfalls of temptation. Energize us for resistance to the one who would exploit our weaknesses and ensnare us in idolatry and all the other self-defeating sins, and injustice, that flow from it.

     We pray in hope, as the One whom You sent taught us. Amen.

Follow this prayer with the Lord's Prayer.