Lent 2023 – Day 35 – Luke 21 v 1-37

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 21 verses 1-37. In your own preferred version. The audio uses the NIV.

“For I will give you words and wisdom…”

Today’s passage is a grim one. As I look around the world over the centuries you could predict that the end time was near. No less so today as we see war, violence, oppression and natural disasters exacerbated by the human condition of prioritising profit over safety.

I really enjoy reading post apocalyptic fiction. The fight to survive against the odds. I often joke with Ros that I have a plan ready as to where we would go in the event of such a disaster.  The reality would be somewhat different I suspect and not something I would enjoy experiencing as much as I do reading novels about it.

Jesus in this passage is warning his disciples that there will be troubles in the near future when the temple, a thing of great beauty built and enhanced over centuries, would be destroyed. We may struggle to really understand the relevance of that two thousand years later. However, the passage still speaks to us about the need to continue to stand up against war, violence,persecution and oppression even though we could easily be overwhelmed by it. Not to see these signs as reason to stop but as a reason to double our efforts.

There is also a need for us to be constantly alert, even when our bodies are weary filled with physical, emotional and spiritual weariness. The patient and steady tread of both our prayer lives and study of the scriptures keep us in the footsteps of Jesus. Our daily words and activities acting as a witness to the truth of Jesus’ words day after day after day.

Remember patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit and patient endurance is what Jesus calls us to as we continue in the work of making disciples. We need not fear that we will not be well equipped for this work as Jesus himself says to us “I will give you words and wisdom”.

Hymn: “I hear the sound of rustling in the leaves of the trees”

Contemplation Words

“ For I will give you words and wisdom…”

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

Lord, I thank you that when I fear that I will not have the right words you use whatever words I have however stilted and stumbling to change lives. Amen

Full Prayer

Loving God, we praise you for your Word. For that most precious gift that it is to us. We thank you for the words of Jesus we have been studying this Lent for in them we find both teaching and challenge. We look around us and see such terrible things, we look around us and see the hostility of people to your message. If we are honest we are often fearful of speaking of you worrying that we will not find the right words to open conversations or to answer questions. Especially those questions asked in malice and not genuine looking for answers.

Help us to remember your words, that you are with us and we never need to fear being unable to speak or in speaking appear foolish. We pray we will keep that promise held deep in our hearts as opportunities to speak of you come to us.

Lord, help us not just to be hearers of the Word but to be active participants in the work of your Word.

We pray. for those who do not know you or your loving salvation. Use us to open them to your Word so that your voice may be heard among people who have never heard it.

Finally Lord we pray for strength and patience. When life is difficult and we are weary in mind body or spirit, pour your Holy Spirit into our lives that we may be revived and refreshed to carry on our calling as your disciples. 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.