This week’s readings: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38.
Prayer for each day: O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life. Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
“Fasting” is a penitential practice that goes back at least to Moses. He fasted for 40 days while on top of Mount Sinai. The people of Israel fasted during their 40 year wandering in the wilderness. Elijah fasted on his way to the mountain of God. Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness.
“Fasting” is a discipline that ranges from going completely without food and water for a short period of time (24 hours) to going without some normal part of one’s usual diet. Traditionally Lutherans have “fasted” on Good Friday by substituting fish for meat on that day in observance of the offering of the “Sacrificial Lamb,” Jesus Christ, on the cross.
In the early days of the church “fasting” was associated with candidates preparing for Baptism during the 40 days of Lent. Today it ranges from someone giving up alcohol or chocolate (something considered an exess) for the whole Lenten period to going without food for a day or two and giving the money saved on food to world hunger. This is a popular Lenten program for youth groups.
The purpose of fasting is to commit the body and mind to a time of penitence (confessing one’s sins) by cleansing the body of what is unclean. Fasting is also a way for an individual to become one with the sufferings of the world.
This week’s readings: Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15.
Prayer for each day: Holy God, heavenly Father, in the waters of the flood you saved the chosen, and in the wilderness of temptation you protected your Son from sin. Renew us in the gift of baptism. May your holy angels be with us, that the wicked foe may have no power over us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
This week’s readings: 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9.
Prayer for each day: Almighty God, the resplendent light of your truth shines from the mountaintop into our hearts. Transfigure us by your beloved Son, and illumine the world with your image, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
This week’s readings: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45
Prayer for each day: Almighty and ever-living God, with mercy you look upon our weaknesses. Stretch out your wondrous hand to protect us from danger and restore us to health, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
This week’s readings: Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39
Prayer for each day: Everlasting God, you give strength to the weak and power to the faint. Make us agents of your healing and wholeness, that your good news may be made known to the ends of your creation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.