Prayers for Lent: week one

For those of us who find ourselves in a dark and difficult place, it can be a comfort to know that our Bible is full of people who went through periods in the wilderness, not least Moses and the Israelites, and even Jesus himself. There’s much that we can learn from their responses to these experiences: we see the Israelites’ reluctance to trust fully in God’s promises for them, contrasted with Jesus’ repeated resistance when tempted by the enemy. We hope you’ll be inspired and empowered in your own life by this series. 

Each week, we’ll share a Bible reading, some prompts to help you with your own prayers for Lent, and other ways to engage your faith such as using worship music or taking practical action.

Here we see the Israelites fleeing from slavery in Egypt. They’re reliant on the saving power of God to lead them to a new life, but their fear of stepping into the unknown is evident.

It can be daunting to leave behind the familiar, even when we know that the risk is worth the reward. For the people CAP serves, there’s worry and uncertainty that comes with facing the reality of their financial difficulties, and it’s vital that they have someone to provide ongoing support and keep morale high, as Moses did for the Israelites. Praise God for local churches that walk alongside people, guiding them towards the wonders he has in store.

Listen to the hymn Before The Throne of God Above, and reflect on the lyrics: ​‘When Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within / Upward I look and see him there / Who made an end to all my sin’.

Pray for those working to resolve their poverty situation with the support of their church. May God bring reassurance and comfort to replace any doubt and worry they may feel.

Take action by doing something today that relies on your full trust in God. This could be pushing yourself out of your comfort zone to befriend someone who’s new to your community, or offering to pray for someone. Believe in the miracles God is able to perform when we take a first step of faith.