The Lenten season begins. It is a time to be with you, Lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death.
I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life.
I know that Lent is going to be a very hard time for me. The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life. I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. There are not times or places without choices. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you.
Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and in every place. Give me the strength and the courage to live this season faithfully, so that, when Easter comes, I will be able to taste with joy the new life that you have prepared for me. Amen.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Johnnie.
Hope you have a wonderful Sabbath Jean. Enjoyed these words, this humble yet yearning prayer by Nouwen. Praying for you and thinking about you as the sun makes its descent.
Ah Jean–
I am always a little surprised to hear that we all bump against the same doubts, the same conflicts. It’s the human condition, I guess, but somehow, when even the best of us struggle, well, I find that a little reassuring. Lent is good.
joannempotter.blogspot.com
Hi Jean
Henry Nouwen is also a writer I admire! His honesty and vulnerability cuts down to the core without any nonsense in between! Dear Friend, let us enter through the narrow gate, our Lord Jesus, and walk on the narrow road, in His life, through His power, moment to moment! Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend!
Much love
Mia