Lent 2023 – Day 29 – Luke 18 v 1-17

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.

Read Luke Chapter 18 verses 1-17. 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

“God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

I don’t know if you, like me, find it uncomfortable when a police car is driving immediately behind you. I know I haven’t done anything wrong but there is an increased worry that maybe I have. The first section of today’s reading takes us into a court setting. The judge would have been an appointee of Herod or the Romans and notoriously corrupt. He had no interest in the rights or wrongs of the case before him but concedes to the woman’s perseverance.

In the second section the Pharisee turns his prayer into a contest with the  tax collector. All of his boasts set against the admission of the tax collector of his need for God’s grace and mercy.

Both stories are about justification by faith. God will come and vindicate each of us after our lives of holiness and service and although others may deride and belittle our faith God will show that we really are his people.

It is difficult to be sure of who is part of that company of God by outward signs. The Pharisee had all of the right words and actions. Yet he was missing the point which is the need to come in humble appreciation of our need for God. When we have done that it will reflect in everything we do. And when Jesus comes to us, he does not come as a policeman in our rear view mirror, rather as our Saviour.  We will not need to be afraid that we might have done something wrong for we will be vindicated by his love.

Hymn: Singing the Faith –  363 “My Jesus, my Saviour”

Contemplation Words

“ God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

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 and merciful God, we thank you that you are ever ready to forgive and justify us. Amen

Full Prayer

Lord as we come to you in prayer, we ask for justice, we ask for mercy, we ask for healing.

We pray in faith and trust in who you are and what you have promised in your word.

Lord, sometimes prayer is a struggle and we do not know what to pray or how to gather our words to speak of the concerns of our hearts. So we pray as you have taught us to, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

We pray that we do not lose heart but continue to rely on your promise to us, that you hear our prayers. Help us to keep praying until the day we see your face.  Amen

Copyright Notices

Reflections and Prayers

By Chris Hancock

Hymns

Hymn words where displayed are in the Public Domain. Hymn organ recordings where used are from Small Church Music. Copyright notice: Rev. Clyde McLennan, performer in this collection, has assigned his performer rights in this collection to Hymnary.org. Non-commercial use of these recordings is permitted. Other hymns are from YouTube and covered by YouTube copyright processes.

Bible Readings

Bible readings are from the New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Images

Images where used are from pixabay.com and free for commercial use no attribution required.

Background Music

The background music in today’s recordings is: Music from Pixabay Relaxing Music Vol.12 – Relaxing Time slightly edited by Chris Hancock as permitted by the Pixabay licence.

Sound Effect from Pixabay Andrew kn – At the edge of space II – Re-mixed and tinkered with by Chris Hancock as permitted by the Pixabay licence.