Today is Monday, March 11th, the first day of the fourth week of Lent. A unique Linton journey where I am

uniting with my brothers and sisters from Bridgetown Church in a season of prayer and fasting, seeking an increase of faith to come

alive in me and in us between now and resurrection mourning.

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, Keep me as the apple of your eye.

Keep me as the apple of your eye.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

Abbe. Abba Father, in this Linton 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 am resisting

lesser loves? Would my day begin and my prayer flow from the deep longing that I'm holding before you this Linton season? Oh, Today's reading comes from Psalm 17.

Hear me, Lord, my plea is just.

Listen to my cry.

Hear my prayer. It does not rise from deceitful lips. Let my vindication come from

you. May your eyes see what is right.

Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me,

you will find that I have planned no evil. My mouth has not transgressed.

Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent

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