Lent 2023 – Day Eight – Luke 7
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 including the Bible passage (approx 20 minutes).
Audio of Reflection and shortened prayers (approx 6 mins).
Read Luke Chapter 7. 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 only
Reflection
Read Luke Chapter 7.
“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.”
This chapter is a great reminder of how much we need God’s grace. Sin is a word which has become unfashionable but it is difficult to come up with another word which conveys its meaning and believe me I have tried to find one. Sin really means that we have all fallen short of what God requires of us. As we often pray “in word or thought or deed by mistake or through our own deliberate actions”.
If we do not know God, that can be a tremendous burden we place upon ourselves and it is only made worse as we pile regret and pain on top of the “sins” we have committed by our action or inaction. I expect we can all name things we wish we had or hadn’t done in our past either recently or many many years ago. Some of those regrets we can still carry with us regardless of the time that has passed.
Jesus reminds us that no matter what we have done or not done in our past, it can be wiped away by his mercy, no matter the duration, size or impact of that sin.
Our challenge and it can be both an easy and a yet very difficult one, is to accept that we need that grace and mercy. Once we have done so, our love of God will flourish and our desire to extend the invitation, to experience the grace we have received, to others will continually grow.
John recognised Jesus and his place in the salvation of the world and he was a voice crying in the wilderness. His voice was heard and responded to as people came to be baptised. This Lent let us once again recognise the grace and mercy of God in our lives and let it stir us up to seek to bring that greatest of Good News to the world.
Hymn: Singing the Faith – 446 “I will offer up my life”
Daily Sketch
Today’s passage spoke to me of that greatest of gifts.
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 05:50 which is just before the final prayer.
Contemplation Words
“ Simon, I have something to tell you” (v 40 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
Loving God we thank you for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. For the words he spoke which assure us of your grace and mercy in each of our lives. Amen
Facebook Prayer
Almighty God you are quick to forgive us time and time and time again. Help us to take to heart your message of love and care for all, that we may not need that continual forgiveness. Help us to walk closer with you that our words and actions may be pleasing to you. Amen
Full Prayer
My Jesus, my Saviour. Lord I offer all that I am into your service for you are the very source of love and mercy.
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.1 – 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.
