For the First Sunday in Lent

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Loving Lord,

Because You have kept your word and not forgotten us,

And at the right time came to us, manifesting your glory,

Revealing the Kingdom of our God and Father, by saying:

“The time has come to repent, for the Kingdom is upon us,”

We turn to You and draw near.

 

We confess and turn from our need to control “when,” for

The time and day of our rescue, and the world’s, is now!

You have loved us, called us each, and embraced us now!

“Now” is the time to savor the Presence, worship your Glory!

We confess all our delays and distractions and turn to You.

 

We confess and turn from our need to map out the journey,

Discontent simply to start and stop and walk in sync with you.

Anxious to mark progress, to document accomplishment, while

Disdaining the simple joy of being with you and watching you.

We confess all such earthbound values and turn to You.

 

We confess and turn to you with others, now siblings-in-love

Who, like us, turn from “natural” preference for “our kind” to

New and strange kinship created by common devotion to You,

The original Lover of all who took our bias and fear to his cross.

We confess any and all such lingering biases and turn to You.

 

Your Kingdom has come, the time is now, and we turn to you.

We confess our need, with hearts open and hands outstretched,

Waiting and expectant …

 

 

Published by David Kendall

Reverend David W. Kendall, an ordained elder in the Great Plains Conference, was elected to the office of bishop of the Free Methodist Church in May 2005. He serves as overseer of East Michigan, Gateway, Great Plains, Mid-America, North Central, North Michigan, Ohio, Southern Michigan, Wabash, African Area Annual Conferences; and Coordinator of oversight for the World Ministries Center.

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