A PRAYER FOR LENT 4 NT

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV)

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

Renew us, O Lord

breathe new life within us

so we may walk beside you

We have walked our own paths

for our own ends

We believed we could find

our direction alone

following our needs and wants

We took off in life

wandering where our hearts led

hoping to create lives

full of comfort and safety

building fortresses to protect them

Forgive us, Lord Jesus

Renew us, O Lord

breathe new life within us

so we may walk beside you

The allures of the world

beckon and call us

to a life of greed and avarice

hoarding our wealth

while others are poor and hungry

We succumb to the temptations

of power and violence

wanting to control and conquer

all who stand in our way

so we can take what we want

Forgive us, Lord Jesus

Renew us, O Lord

and with your Spiritq

breathe new life within us

so we may walk beside you

Breathe on us, Lord Jesus

Fill us with humbleness

that we may put aside our desires

and seek to live simply

and lovingly

Breathe on us, Lord Jesus

Fill us with a desire to give

our time and talents and treasures

to those in need

The hungry... The lame... The forgotten

Breathe on us, Lord Jesus

Fill us with the things that make for peace

so that we may work for justice

and harmony with all nations

and communities

Breather on us, Lord Jesus

Fill us with a desire for prayer

that we can turn to you

to guide and protect us

from all temptation and evil

Renew us, O Lord

and with your Spirit

breathe new life within us

so we may walk beside you

Now and forevermore

Amen