As we  navigate the wilderness of Lent, Lord,
be present with us.
Be present with us in our yearning
to fill the emptiness inside us,
to fill our spiritual hunger as well as 
our physical hunger.
Strengthen us when we are tempted
to use our gifts and skills 
to feed only ourselves
and not those around us,
to depend on our own abilities
instead of leaning on God,
to reach for instant satisfaction
rather than to learn from the discomfort
of fasting for spiritual transformation.

Be present with us in our desire
to be important ...
famous ...
powerful ...
wealthy.
Give us the courage to humble ourselves
in the face of greed
that we might listen to the vulnerable ...
the invisible ...
the powerless ...
the poor
and follow in the example you set for us
that we might value justice
and compassion
and grace
above all.

Be present with us in our doubt
and questioning,
in our fear and anxiety,
in our insecurity and uncertainty.
Remind us who we are 
and whose we are
that we may reclaim our identity
as children of the Most High God,
co-heirs with Christ,
in-Spirited community
for the sake of the world 
who is watching how we live 
as bearers of your name.
Help us to be god-bearers to a world
in need of love
that all may see you reflected in us
not by our showiness and self-proclaimed piety
but by the humility of Christ
and the faithful following
​of his loving example.

Gather in, you who are starving 
for spiritual sustenance
as well as physical nourishment.
God is with you.

Gather in, you voiceless
and you who have no power
or authority.
God is with you.

Gather in, you who question
and doubt
and wonder about God's existence.
God is with you.

In every trial and tribulation,
God is present with the hungry,
the marginalized,
the anxious and afraid.
​Come and worship God.

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2026%3A1-11&version=NRSVUE

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2091%3A1-2%2C%209-16&version=NRSVUE

Romans 10:8b-13  www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2010%3A8b-13&version=NRSVUE

Luke 4:1-13  www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%204%3A1-13&version=NRSVUE  

The focus passage for A Place of Grace this week is Luke 4:1-13. All liturgy will be based on this passage. What in Luke 4:1-13 inspires or encourages you? Share your comments here:  www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1055075206661732&set=a.549399683895956.