Prayer Prompt March 4

SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 58:3-9

‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, let the prophets' words remind us this day why we are observing the season of Lent in the first place. You are not a God of pomp and circumstance, but a creative and loving parent to us all. You ask not for ritual and piety for appearance's sake, but for us to give up anything which would impede us from seeing through your eyes. You care little when we give up chocolate or social media for 40 days if it does not result in our remembering the ones who struggle all around us. May we be up to the task of keeping your fast, the fast that asks us to give up something more dear than food or drink. You ask us to fast from our own complacency. God, open our eyes today and prepare us to give of ourselves to the least of these. Make us like your son Jesus who gave all for your beloved creation. Fill us with the empowerment and knowledge of your Holy Spirit so we know to whom and when we should give our time and resources. As we seek to carry out your fast today, grant us the gift of seeing your hand at work in our lives and the lives around us. We love you and we humbly offer you our time to do with as you see most fit. In the name of your son Jesus, we pray. Amen.

-Jordan Gignilliat