Lenten Devotional

Hello All :),

I was asked to write a Lenten Devotional for a booklet that my church is putting together.  I procrastinated, of course, and waited until the last possible minute to write it.  I sat down and opened my Bible to the verses I had been assigned to write about, and found that last night, I didn't relate to ANY of them.  I was seriously freaking out.  WHAT WAS I GOING TO WRITE ABOUT???  It was due the next day! So, as I usually do when I have writers block, I just went to bed and woke up early this morning, hoping that I then would be inspired.  And thank goodness, after my morning prayer, I was able to write.  Here's what I came up with, hope you enjoy:

Read Psalm 31:9-16.

We all go through times in our lives when we feel completely overwhelmed with grief and distress.  For me it’s usually has to do with school related stress.  We want to give up and just stay in bed all day.  It seems like none of our friends truly care about what we’re going through and they turn against us.  We feel like the garbage they’ve just put out on the street and then stomped on.  Oh, and now they’re bragging and laughing about it with their other friends.  Even if they tried, they couldn’t fully understand what we’re going through.  Only the Lord knows your heart.  I pray that you lean on him through this time of trial.  He is a loving God who WANTS to take your burdens from you.  1Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxieties upon Him because he cares for you.”  Let the Lord provide your strength.  Our earthy bodies are poisoned by sin, which makes us weak.  Put your trust in the Lord and let His light shine through you in the dark time.  Bury your self in His love.  He will provide you with all you need, even though it is most often in a way that you least expect it. 

I want to end you with these lyrics from Tenth Avenue North.  This song is titled, “Hold My Heart.”

Here's the Tenth Avenue North Video

How long must I pray, must I pray to You?
How long must I wait, must I wait for You?
How long 'til I see Your face, see You shining through?
I'm on my knees, begging You to notice me.
I'm on my knees, Father will You turn to me?
One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart
I've been so afraid, afraid to close my eyes
So much can slip away before I say goodbye.
But if there's no other way, I'm done asking why.
I'm on my knees, begging You to turn to me
I'm on my knees, Father will You run to me?

One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart.
So many questions without answers, Your promises remain
I can't see but I'll take my chances to hear You call my name
To hear You call my name
One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Won't You come close and hold my heart.
Hold my heart, could you hold my heart?
Hold my heart.

Dear Lord, You are faithful and just.  You are a jealous God that wants to know our every thought and desire.  Thank you for loving us when all we want to do is live for ourselves.  Thank you for pursuing us through our darkest times.  You are truly an awesome God.  I pray that during this time of Lent we are able to focus on truly relying on you in all aspects of our lives and that we are able to shine your light through our every word and action.

YOU are Beautifully and Wonderfully Made,

Love,

Ky :)