Today is Saturday, February 24th. 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, When the Lord restored

Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue which shouts of joy.

And they said among the nations, the Lord has done great things for them.

The Lord has done great things for us. We are glad.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev.

Those who so in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.

He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sewing, shall come

home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. 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 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 is from Psalm 126.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dream,

then our mouth was filled with laughter

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