Hello, friends! It's been quite some time since we've posted anything here; sorry about that!! Time has been flying, and all of a sudden we've found ourselves more than halfway through Lent! I came across this prayer by Henri Nouwen for the 4th Week of Lent in his book, Show Me the Way, and wanted to share it with you. I hope Lent has been a blessed, joyful, and fruitful season so far for all of you. I will continue to keep you in my prayers as we look forward to the joy of Easter! :)
Prayer for the 4th Week of Lent
O Lord, this holy season of Lent is passing quickly.
I entered into it with fear,
but also with great expectations.
I hoped for a great breakthrough,
a powerful conversion, a real change of heart;
I wanted Easter to be a day so full of light
that not even a trace of darkness
would be left in my soul.
But I know that you do not come to your people
with thunder and lightning.
Even St. Paul and St. Francis
journeyed through much darkness
before they could see your light.
Let me be thankful for your gentle way.
I know you are at work.
I know you will not leave me alone.
I know you are quickening me for Easter -
but in a way fitting to my own history
and my own temperament.
I pray that these last three weeks,
in which you invite me to enter more fully
into the mystery of your passion,
will bring me a greater desire to follow you
on the way that you create for me
and to accept the cross that you give me.
Let me die to the desire
to choose my own way and select my own cross.
You do not want to make me a hero
but a servant who loves you.
Be with me tomorrow and in the days to come,
and let me experience your gentle presence.
Amen.
