Lent Day 19 | 40 to Life

The below reflection was provided by the Diocese of Southern Virginia:

Wednesday in the Third Week of Lent

Give ear to our prayers, O Lord, and direct the way of your servants in safety under your protection, that, amid all the changes of our earthly pilgrimage, we may be guarded by your mighty aid; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

In all of our conversations— the ones we have with God and the ones we have with one another—we want to know that we are heard. God wants to be in conversation with us. God, like us, wants to be heard. 

Lent is a season when we turn down the noise and distraction in our lives. We slow down. We simplify. We let go of pretense and falsity. We speak clearly and honestly with God about our fears and confusion. Lent offers us the opportunity to take time to sit in silence, to be still, and to listen to the truth of our lives speak to us.

Even as God gives ear to our prayers, we give ear to God’s response. We listen for God’s message of mercy and guidance and comfort through the changes of our lives. In the face of danger and pain, we entrust ourselves to a loving God who guards us and holds us in life. Lord, hear our prayer. And help us to hear you when you answer us. Amen.

The Diocesan Lenten Reflections come from clergy and laity in each of our nine convocations. The reflections are based on the collect appointed for each day in Lent. Today's collect and the associated daily readings can be found HERE.