Gracious and Loving God,

We lift up our hearts in praise to You. Remember us this day and every day in Your constant love and mercy. Show us Your paths and guide our steps so that we may follow You in faith and obedience. Strengthen our resolve even as You soften our spirit so that we may learn and accept Your teaching with humility and trust. Keep us from imposing our own presumptions on Your will. In the words of the psalmist, remind us, and those who lead us, that all Your ways are marked by steadfast love and faithfulness.

As we begin our Lenten journey to the Cross, we give thanks for Your Son who was sent to offer forgiveness for our sins against You and Your kingdom. During this season of introspection and reflection, draw us into the tender yet firm awareness that in naming our transgressions, in acknowledging our failings, we need not conceal ourselves in fear or shame. For You pardon our guilt as uttered in our sincere confession. You invite us to lay down the burden of our sins so that we may walk with You in confident assurance that You are our God and we are Your children.

Through the Holy Spirit, may we continue to grow in the likeness of Christ. As we have been forgiven, let us, too, forgive one another. Let our thoughts and actions testify to Your never-ending goodness—the source of our hope, whatever we may face.

In Jesus’ holy and precious name we pray, Amen.

Rev. Darren Hensley