Prayers for Lent: week three

This story centres on God’s miraculous provision for the Israelites. Every morning he rains down bread (manna) from Heaven, instructing the people to take as much as they need for that day only, as he will provide for them again the following day. Again, the people fail to trust in God. Some keep part of the manna until morning, only to find that it has rotted.

Does this sound familiar? Have you ever taken or kept more than you needed, instead of trusting that God would provide for you? It can feel scary to make sacrifices and put our full trust in God, but, just as he did for the Israelites, he always keeps his promises.

Ask God to help you not to rely on what the world tells us we ​‘need’, instead trusting that you are entirely fulfilled and satisfied through Christ.

Take action today. Start by asking yourself, ​‘Is there something in my life that I have more than enough of, that I could realistically sacrifice to benefit someone else?’ Perhaps you have some free time that you could use to volunteer for a charity, or could donate clothes you no longer wear. Ask God for guidance as you consider this, and trust that he is fully in control.

Pray for a renewed passion to end poverty, with an outpouring of generosity across the UK, believing that one day every person will have as much as they need.

Listen to the song The Lord Will Provide (Landon Wolfe and Passion), and reflect on the following lyrics: ​‘So seek first the kingdom and its treasures / Everything else it will be added / All that I’m needing / Yes, I know the Lord will provide’.