Today is Friday March 1st. As I enter prayer now, I slow my body and quiet my mind, setting my whole being in the presence of the living God who is ever present to me, aiming all of my desire at the father who loves to give good gifts to his children, who sets a table for me in the presence of my enemies and who prepares a place for me

even now. Oh, The Lord watches over you. The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The Sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. Ab a father. Abba Father, in this Lenten season of prayer and fasting, I remember Jesus in the wilderness

now, fasting for 40 days of testing and temptation.

Jesus resisted lesser appetites out of desire, not duty.

Desire for me to call me his own and bring me home.

Holy Spirit, would you awaken my desire now, the greater hunger for which I'm resisting lesser loves.

Would my day begin and my prayer flow from the deep longing that I'm holding before you this Lenten season. Oh, God never leaves me. As I continue into the day ahead, there will never be a moment where he's not with me next to me.

And at the end of the day, when I lie down, he will be with me through the night. As I sleep, he doesn't. He is my good shepherd and he always

watches over his sheep. He is always protecting me from harm and keeping me in perfect peace. Oh, Father God, I want to be aware of your presence with me now and throughout the day.

I ask that now in the quiet you would make me aware of

your presence. Oh, Lord Jesus, you are my good shepherd, you. I can rest. I ask that you would help me to rest today in the peace of your presence. As I return to this ancient prayer, I ask that my voice would join with the Saints of old,

who have worn the narrow path I walk on today, and that I would like them and trust my whole life into your

faithful hands today Lord. The Lord watches over you.

The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. Like the good shepherd who watches over his sheep day and night, the Lord is attending to me. The Lord is the God who is with me.

He is near enough to cover me in his shade in the shadow of his wings. He intercedes for me, standing between me and

trouble that I may have peace. As I pray and fast today, I create space to notice his presence with me, even now. You're not going to be? Oh, Lord God I yield to your presence. I want to be attentive to your presence, but I might know

you as the God who is with me. Oh, Now as I enter this new day I raise my voice with the praise of Psalm 113.

From the rising of the sun to its setting,

the name of the Lord is to be praised. raised.

Father, help me to live this day deeply and fully, in touch with my deep desire from waking till sleeping, perceiving your presence in the day's plans and interruptions, and regardless of what this day holds,

may your praise beyond my lips at this sun setting, as it is now with the sun's rising.

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