Opening Prayer: Psalm 72

¹ Endow the king with your justice, O God,
    the royal son with your righteousness.
² May he judge your people in righteousness,
    your afflicted ones with justice.

³ May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
    the hills the fruit of righteousness.
⁴ May he defend the afflicted among the people
    and save the children of the needy;
    may he crush the oppressor.
⁵ May he endure^[a] as long as the sun,
    as long as the moon, through all generations.
⁶ May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
    like showers watering the earth.
⁷ In his days may the righteous flourish
    and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

⁸ May he rule from sea to sea
    and from the River^[b] to the ends of the earth.
⁹ May the desert tribes bow before him
    and his enemies lick the dust.
¹⁰ May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
    bring tribute to him.
May the kings of Sheba and Seba
    present him gifts.
¹¹ May all kings bow down to him
    and all nations serve him.

¹² For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
    the afflicted who have no one to help.
¹³ He will take pity on the weak and the needy
    and save the needy from death.
¹⁴ He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
    for precious is their blood in his sight.

¹⁵ Long may he live!
    May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
    and bless him all day long.
¹⁶ May grain abound throughout the land;
    on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops flourish like Lebanon
    and thrive^[c] like the grass of the field.
¹⁷ May his name endure forever;
    may it continue as long as the sun.

Then all nations will be blessed through him,^[d]
    and they will call him blessed.

¹⁸ Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,
    who alone does marvelous deeds.
¹⁹ Praise be to his glorious name forever;
    may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.

God’s Voice:

• Old Testament (covenant): Gen. 42:18-28 
• Psalm (song): 119:73-96
• Epistle (letter): 1 Cor. 5:9–6:8
• Gospel (good news): Mark 4:1-20

Pursuing Holiness

• Prayer: What is God saying to me today? How will I respond?
• Fasting: What can I deny myself today (food, drink, behaviors) as an act of worship?
• Charity: How can I help someone in need today with my time, money, or goods?

Closing Prayer: Psalm 119:73-96

י Yodh

⁷³ Your hands made me and formed me;
    give me understanding to learn your commands.
⁷⁴ May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
    for I have put my hope in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
⁷⁶ May your unfailing love be my comfort,
    according to your promise to your servant.
⁷⁷ Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
    for your law is my delight.
⁷⁸ May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
    but I will meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹ May those who fear you turn to me,
    those who understand your statutes.
⁸⁰ May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
    that I may not be put to shame.

כ Kaph

⁸¹ My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
    but I have put my hope in your word.
⁸² My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
    I say, “When will you comfort me?”
⁸³ Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
    I do not forget your decrees.
⁸⁴ How long must your servant wait?
    When will you punish my persecutors?
⁸⁵ The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
    contrary to your law.
⁸⁶ All your commands are trustworthy;
    help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
⁸⁷ They almost wiped me from the earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
⁸⁸ In your unfailing love preserve my life,
    that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

ל Lamedh

⁸⁹ Your word, Lord, is eternal;
    it stands firm in the heavens.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
    you established the earth, and it endures.
⁹¹ Your laws endure to this day,
    for all things serve you.
⁹² If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
⁹³ I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have preserved my life.
⁹⁴ Save me, for I am yours;
    I have sought out your precepts.
⁹⁵ The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
    but I will ponder your statutes.
⁹⁶ To all perfection I see a limit,
    but your commands are boundless.

How do I use this Devotional?

1. Read the “Opening Prayer” from scripture to the Lord as your prayer
2. Choose one or more of the scripture passages under “God’s Voice” for further reading
3. Answer the questions under “Pursuing Holiness”
   1. Your reflection on the scriptures and how you sense the Holy Spirit leading you today
   2. Identify how you will practice self-denial today based on God’s leading
   3. Identify how you want to practice giving today
   4. prayer, fasting (self-denial), and giving be your living, spiritual worship
4. Keep notes in a journal or planner to enable your follow-through and create a record
5. Read the “Closing Prayer”

Since the third century, Christians have used Scripture, Prayer, Self-denial, and Almsgiving as spiritual preparation for Easter.

What is Lent?

Lent  is the season in the Christian calendar that leads up to Easter. Lent is 40 days long because Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days before his public ministry. The Israelites, because of their disobedience and rebellion, were made to wander for 40 years in the wilderness before arriving in the promised land. Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai engaged with God in receiving the Ten Commandments. In the Bible, the number 40 is often used to indicate a period of preparation and testing.

In the wilderness, nothing is hidden. We are laid bare to God. We do not have our creature comforts. We are separated from common distractions. We ultimately will return to our lives when the time of preparation is complete. We focus our passion on God while He refines us to fulfill his calling.