Lent 2023 – Day 23 – Luke 15 v 1-10

Welcome to our Daily reflections for Lent.

We have provided a number of ways of using these reflections.

• You can listen to it in podcast style by clicking on the first audio file. (approx 18 minutes);
• You can listen to the reflection and the prayers with a shortened length for personal prayer (approx 6 minutes);
• You can read your own version of the Bible and then listen to the reflection, play the hymn in the embedded YouTube clip and then listen to the prayer section;
• You can choose to just read through it and ignore the audio files; or
• any combination of the above.

However you choose to use them we hope you will find them helpful and thought provoking.

Full Audio of today’s reflection. To be added

Read Luke Chapter 15 verses 1-10. In your own preferred version. The audio uses the NIV.

Link to the Bible Gateway NIV version (Opens in a new tab)

Audio of reflection

“Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.”

I wonder if some of us have sometimes felt lost? I am a typical man and would rather wander hopelessly lost than ask for directions. Confident that it will resolve itself at some point and iI will find a landmark I recognise. It rarely does! Sometimes we also get lost spiritually, either following a wrong path or ceasing to travel at all so that our engines seize up.

These parables assure us that we are vital to God’s creation. That no matter how often or far we stray. God is always searching for us to bring us back to the right path. The stories each give us a metaphorical glimpse of heaven as a place of great rejoicing.

Perhaps like a child entering a room, whose face lights up when they see their parent and the room lights up to see the joy and excitement in the child. So it is with God and the company of heaven as one who was lost finds their way back to the presence of God.

Some of you will know that I used to go occasionally to watch FC Union Berlin play football in Germany and perhaps it is a bit like when the team sheet is called by the announcer and after every name 22,000 voices shout out loud in an enthusiastic cheer. I like to imagine that that is what it is like in heaven as the list of those who have come to God have their name called.

Hymn: Singing the Faith –  481 “The Lord’s my Shepherd”

Contemplation Words

“Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.”

Let us pray together.

Contemplative Prayer

Think of the words in order to understand context and meaning, Feel the meaning of the words with and in your heart, Pray, using the words, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers. Listen for God’s voice in the quiet of your prayers. Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.

Twitter Prayer

Loving God, I thank you that you are always ready to search for me and bring me back into your way. Amen

Full Prayer

Lord, we thank you for this vision of heaven as a place of rejoicing. A place where those who come to you, at any stage of their lives, are celebrated as something so precious. That all of those who were lost and have been found are cheered by the angels.