St. Nicolai Notes

Lenten Prayer - Day 16 - Third Saturday (March 6, 2021)
Gospel Reading: Mark 11:15-19

     O God, we have come to believe that Jesus represents the status quo for the dominant culture, so we typically fail to perceive that he was a huge threat to the wealthy, powerful, and comfortable, particularly those who managed social currency through the economics of power and predation, as well as through a spirituality of coercion and exclusion.

     We tend to see those features as part of ancient history and fail to see how they are closely replicated in our own time and experience, so that our places of faith are often places of collusion with dominant power that wounds, controls, and excludes while blocking the efforts of those who long for your presence but do not know how to cry out to You.

     Enable us to follow Jesus with courage, energy, and hope, even if it means disrupting structures to which we have become accustomed. Overcome our fear of losing control by helping us to abandon ourselves to You and your purpose for a world of holiness, forgiveness, peace, justice, joy, freedom, and fruitfulness as defined by the life of Jesus and the guidance of your Spirit.

     We have many idols that seem less challenging than the way of Jesus. Many days we want the easy way. Forgive us! Awaken us! Energize us for life as Jesus' disciples. Amen.