The Eden Wild Goose Pray initiative
March 2022 Lent
A page to fuel prayer
1/ A Thought based on the Rhythm on Life Prayer book
2/ Response to The Thought
3/ A linked Bible passage
4/ Songs to inspire
5/ 'Just picture it', a linked photo to think about.
1/ A Thought
Sue Holmes
Most of the season of Lent is during March this year. It is the season in the church’s calendar when we can reflect, take an inward look at ourselves and remember the sacrifice made by Jesus when He died for our sins on the cross. Early in His ministry, He was sent by the Holy Spirit into the desert and whilst there Satan tested him, trying to persuade him to turn away from his Father God. Jesus refused and exercised that self discipline that kept him close to God, which is why some folk today choose to spend Lent testing their own self-discipline.
So, are you one of those people who give something up for Lent – chocolate or smoking, eating between meals or having that glass of wine? I remember, many years ago now, in our Sunday School class at Wetheral, the children and teachers, wrote on stones a word to describe something in their lives that they each wished they hadn’t done or said. Then we all marched down to the River Eden and threw the stones as far as we could into the river! We all vowed to turn away from sin and to turn to Christ.
Or perhaps, instead, during the period of Lent, you are someone who takes up an activity of some kind such as taking more exercise, giving regularly to the local Food Bank, visiting a friend or neighbour or identifying with those less fortunate than ourselves. Whatever we choose to do, or indeed not do this Lent, we all, from time to time are sad or sorry for situations in our lives and need comfort and healing, love or care and our Father God is waiting to receive us safely into loving arms.
In our Eden Wild Goose prayer book The Rhythm of Life, David Adam puts it this way:
To your cross, O Lord, we come for healing.
For you alone can make us whole.
We come with the broken-hearted and broken spirited,
For you alone can make us whole.
We come with those with broken relationships,
For you alone can make us whole.
We come with the broken in body or mind,
For you alone can make us whole.
We come with the weak and the handicapped,
For you alone can make us whole.
We come with the sinners and the guilty,
For you alone can make us whole.
(page 108)
If you have The Rhythm of Life book you might like to read and pray pages 106-110 with The Cross theme, which contains this prayer.
2/Response from the Thought
a/ What does ‘self-disciple ‘mean for you in your own spiritual journey? Can you identify one thing to work on between now and Easter, and ask God to help you. Maybe you could write it on a credit card size note for your purse or wallet, or place it next to your kettle or bathroom mirror. Intention, reminders and asking for help will more likely have a positive effect.
b/ Can you think of something you said or did that you regret? What would you like to throw in the river? Maybe even do it…
c/ ‘Comfort and healing, love or care’…Look at Rembrandt’s famous painting ‘The Return of the Prodigal Son’. Imagine yourself into the painting and feel the emotions of the father… as if it were Our Father’s hands on your back to ‘Make you whole’.
3/ A linked Bible passage
Luke 17v11-19 Jesus heals ten men with leprosy
Only one returned to thank him.
Jesus responds…
And he said unto him, ‘Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.’ KJV
Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’ NIV
Some thoughts to ponder on these verses
Ten men prayed ‘Have pity on us’, but only one praised. What is the difference?
Nine men had and outward cure but the one who came to Jesus was made whole.
The Masai tribe in West Africa has an unusual way of saying thank you: They bow, put their forehead on the ground, and say, ‘My head is in the dirt.’
4/ Songs to inspire
‘Refiner’s fire’ Brian Doerksen
'O perfect love' Neil Bennetts
‘Take these ashes’ Sarah Hart
Take these ashes as a sign
that from the dust you have been raised
and to dust you shall return.
Return to me with all your heart;
let go the world and come to me.
Rend your heart and not your clothes,
for I am kind, my name is mercy.
Slow to anger is my way;
My cup is filled with love for you.
I will not send you to the foe
No scorn the ones I come to rescue.
Gather my people says the Lord;
And let them come to healing peace.
Elders and children, lost and found,
Into this place of loves revealing.
‘To the desert follow me’
This is a companion song to Sarah Hart’s ‘Take These Ashes.’
To the desert follow me,
for I am God, who is your hope.
To the desert follow me.
A blessing I will give to you,
All you who wander and who thirst.
The desert soon will bear a spring
Forgiving water shall restore you.
I will renew your weary heart
and keep you always in my sight;
give you a spirit that is new;
restore the joy of your salvation.
The light you bear shall be as dawn;
Your bonds of sin my love will break.
Injustice shall be overcome
And you will rise with me beloved
5/ ‘Just Picture it’, a linked photo to think about.
An image to touch our souls.
Spend some time ‘in’ the picture.
'To your cross, O Lord, we come for healing.'
What do you sense: see, touch, hear or smell?
Is there a Bible verse that comes to mind?
Is there a response that rises from within?
Cross on Ynys Llanddwyn, Anglesey
