40 Prayers of Lent: Days 5 & 6

Day 5: In your prayer-writing today, wrestle with God against the temptation to see life as "all about you."

I am selfish, so selfish
I cannot see beyond my own needs, wants, desires.
I want others to do it my way.
Show me where I am selfish and remind me about others
Where I see only despair for me; show me how this raises another
Where I may see ruin for me, show me the treasure for another.
Where I demand my own way, show me your better way.
Take me from outside my dark, shadowy, comfortable spot and
Let me be a beacon of light on others.
Use me for you, let my voice praise you for your sake.
Give me the strength and courage to see others as you see them.
Let me love them as you love them.


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Day 6 :Today's prompt begins with verse 6 of the familiar Psalm 139 (NRSV): "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it." The psalmist's use of "high" here indicates "expansive, beyond reach" . . . but what inspiration and insight might we find today if we literally gaze at high places, at nearby mountains, for example, or at the sky?  Look up today. Let the high places catch your eye and your imagination. Be full of wonder as you pick up your pen to pray.

Let me travel to the mountain top to bask in your glory. To see the blue expanding ever to the horizon and beyond. To see you.  A rainbow around the sun, pushes back the clouds, leading me back to your wonders, created for this world, for this moment, for Maggie & me to share.  The moon shining into my window, showcasing, reflecting the sun. Let me be like the moon and reflect your light.  I want to return to the mountain top. Literally. Figuratively. To refresh my soul, my heart, my head. To clear out old thoughts and selfish desires.