Prayer for the First Sunday of Lent, Year A

O God, we're here today at your invitation. You have called us, each and everyone of us. Here we are. We gather to worship you!

Honestly, we have a lot in our minds. Our hearts are carrying many burdens. Yet, you invite us to lay our burdens down. We need your help!

We remember that moment when Jesus heard you say, "You are my beloved," and we're trying to believe you might say that about us too.

But here in this world - life is hard and loud. There are so many voices telling us we're not enough, that we don't fit in, that we need to prove ourselves. Our humanity feels under attack, always in question.

Some days, we fall for it. We scramble for control. We chase things that promise to fill us up but leave us empty. 

We listen to the people telling us we're not worthy of love instead of listening to you. We're sorry for that. Forgive us when we forget who we are and whose we are.

This season of Lent - these forty days - we need your help. We're going to mess up. We're going to be tempted, just like Jesus was. But we are not Jesus, so we need your help. Please hold on to us and never leave us!

Help us remember our baptism, that moment when someone poured water over us and said we belonged to you. Help us come back to that over and over again when we get lost.

We're also thinking about everyone we know who's struggling right now. The people who feel invisible. The ones who are exhausted from fighting. The ones who don't believe they're loved. 

Please show up for them too. Give us courage to show up for one another. Help us break through the fog. Let all your children know they're not alone.

And Lord - thank you for showing us how to say no to the easy way and yes to your way, even when it's hard. Help us to love one another, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Sometimes it’s hard, but with your help, we can do it.

Walk with us on this long journey of Lent. Without you, surely we will be lost. With you, we will get home again into your holy embrace.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord! 

Amen!

Rev. Bobby Musengwa

Transitional General Presbyter