Lent 2023 – Day Four – Luke 3
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 20 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 including the Bible passage (approx 18 mins).
Audio of Reflection and shortened prayers (Approx 6 mins).
Read Luke Chapter 3. 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
“”What should we do then”
One of the features of modern day Lent is the giving up of things. Things which are perhaps not good for us. A few years ago I gave up fizzy pop and have decided to repeat this again this year. When I did I had a thumping headache which wife reassuringly tells me is caffeine withdrawl. Sometimes the things we enjoy are not good for us physically but there are also things which are not good for us spiritually. Our reading today presents those things which were and still remain detrimental to our spiritual well being. Selfishness, cheating people, extortion and lies.
When John was preaching and baptising, the people asked him “Then what are we supposed to do?” Lent is also a time for us to reflect on what it is that God wants us to do. We come to him to receive our salvation once and for all but we continue to come to worship him, to find peace, to share our lives with him whether good or bad. We also, like those who came to John, come to ask what is it you want me to do? Sometimes we are asked to do a lot sometimes a little but always we are only asked what we are capable of doing.
In this season of Lent we once again look to God for guidance on the path that he would have us walk.
Hymn: Singing the Faith – 394 – “Spirit of God unseen as the wind”
Daily Sketch
Today’s passage spoke to me of the need to produce good fruit. I have a neat trick where if you take the first bite from an apple it leaves a heart shaped indentation on the fruit. It always makes me think of those I love when I remember to do it! Today’s image tries to show that indentation and the love that is found in Good Fruit.
Let us pray together.
Audio of Prayer section
After the contemplation words. The audio has approximately five minutes of the quiet background music for your own prayers. If you would like longer just stop the audio and re-start it when you wish. If you want a shorted period “drag” the audio to 06:00 which is just before the final prayer.
Contemplation Words
“He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (v 16 NIV)
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 help me to discover what you would have me do in your service.
Facebook Prayer
Lord in this period of Lent we come to you. We open ourselves to your will and ask that you will guide us further on our journey with you. Give us courage to speak your word and overflowing enthusiasm for spreading your good news. Amen.
Full Prayer
Loving God we ask for your blessing on us today. Give us a sense of purpose in our service for you. May we speak boldly of the things you ask of each of us, just as John spoke to those in the desert. Amen
Lord may we remember that we are all children of God. May we feel the warmth of your embrace and the awareness of your presence with us as we travel through this period of Lent. Speak to us so that we may know your will. Inspire us to new ways of drawing others into conversations about you and your importance in our lives. May your Holy Spirit fill us with fire for the gospel. 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
Music from Pixabay
Relaxing Music Vol.1 – Relaxing Time slightly edited by Chris Hancock as permitted by the Pixabay licence.
