One-Minute Centering Exercise

Scripture

I rejoice in my present sufferings…on behalf of [Christ’s Church]. I became a servant of the church (Colossians 1:24-25, CJB).

Prayer

Jesus, what a powerful word, right on time for this cultural moment. Your beautiful bride, the church, is suffering. Its leaders are demoralized. Some are quitting. There is lots of members opting out of church, saying a communal expression of faith is no longer important or necessary. And here is good, old Paul, your valient-at-heart, who is suffering because of his commitment and love for Christ’s church, the community of Jesus in the world. During Lent, wake us up. Make us ready for the hard stuff. Make us valiant for your church. Forgive us for our arrogance in thinking we can have faith without your church. Forgive us for heeding the voices that say we are better off without the church. Rebirth in us the kind of love for your bride that Paul is revealing. Make us ready to do the hard work of rebuilding the kind of church that Paul suffered for. Amen.

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