prayers for

5th week of lent

March 23rd

Jesus, I wish that, like Peter, I could sit down in your presence and learn from you. I would raise my hand high, eager to ask questions, eager to understand more. Instead, all I can do is raise my prayers. So meet me here. See how my hand is raised. Nurture playful curiosity in me as only a teacher can while also comforting the deep rumbling questions that haunt me. With gratitude I pray, with gratitude I wonder. Amen.


March 24th

Holy God, on my worst days, I can live like I have all the answers. On my best days, however, I know that there is more I have to learn—about myself, about you, and about my neighbor. Show me how to be a student again. Pull back the curtain on my complacency so that in every interaction I am looking for ways to learn. And if there is a particular area you want me to grow, place that passion in my heart. With hope, I pray. Amen.


March 25th

Forgiving God, you tell Peter to forgive seventy-times-seven (Mt. 18:15-22). I want to follow your instructions, but forgiveness has never felt that easy. How do I forgive when the hurt still lingers? How do I put mercy into my words? You want grace for this world. Show me how to follow in your footsteps. Show me how to forgive. Amen.


March 26th

Jesus, you are our original teacher. Over and over again, you inspired curiosity, empathy, and compassion in your disciples. Just as the disciples learned from you, help me to learn from the wise people you have placed in my life. Open my eyes to see what they see. Soften my heart to allow for growth. Open my mind up to learn from others’ experiences—so that I am more and more like you. With hope I pray, amen.


March 27th

Jesus, you are our original teacher. Over and over again, you inspired curiosity, empathy, and compassion in your disciples. Just as the disciples learned from you, help me to learn from the wise people you have placed in my life. Open my eyes to see what they see. Soften my heart to allow for growth. Open my mind up to learn from others’ experiences—so that I am more and more like you. With hope I pray, amen.


March 28th

God of Grace, there is no limit to your kindness. No matter how many times I lose my way or fall short, you are always running to meet me with open arms. I cannot shake your mercy. I cannot lose your love. You are always there for me. Teach me how to love people like that. Teach me how to be persistent in mercy, resilient in love, and overflowing with grace. I want to be more like you. Amen.


March 29th

God of Grace, I am quite the work in progress. Why is it often easier to forgive someone else than it is to forgive myself? I can be quick to offer grace to my neighbor while doling out harsh words to myself. Allow me to grant myself the same grace and patience that I would grant my neighbor. May that unfurling grace be a reminder that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. With growing pains and constant hope I pray. Amen.