Today is Wednesday, March 27th, and alongside the church across the world, I am on the march with Jesus toward Jerusalem,

the passion of the cross, and the victory of the empty tomb.

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, I'm not. But let all who take refuge in you rejoice, let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection

over them that those who love your name may exult in you. Aba 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 am 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, Today we are reading from Psalm 5. You've ere to my words, O Lord, consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my king and my God,

for to you do I pray.

Oh Lord in the morning you hear my voice. In the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness.

Evil may not dwell with you.

A bothful shall not stand before your eyes.

You hate evildoers.

You destroy those who speak lies. The Lord appours the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house.

I will bow down towards your holy temple in the fear of you.

Leave me, O Lord, in your righteousness, because of my enemies, make your way straight before me.

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