Lord, it’s Lent—a season to reflect on, and truly be in tune with, my need for a Savior. You are holy and righteous. You are beautiful and loving. You are faithful and merciful—full of grace.
If I’m honest with myself, I don’t deserve to stand before You. You are truly perfect and to be revered—my mere existence is a gift. Yet, here I stand. Not only do You give me breath, bread and water to live, You want me to be in relationship with You.
Before Jesus’ ministry began on earth, John the Baptist called for people to repent and turn from their sins. He prepared the way for You to come and preach, to share the good news of Your Kingdom. You came to the lowly, the outcast, the sick, the needy, the poor, the sinner—those who clearly in the world’s eye needed a savior.
But what we learned as Your ministry unfolded is that we are all sinners, spiritually deficient and needy. We all need a Savior, You.
Not one of us is better off than another, despite our outward appearances, our social standing, our material wealth, our physical prowess, our intellectual abilities or anything else that is attainable in this world, we lack something. As Solomon says multiple times in the Book of Ecclesiastes, it is all meaningless.
Our souls, our inner peace, the essence of who we are will only be complete and truly satisfied by You. Maybe that’s why we always have this inner longing. Maybe that’s why our desires seems unquenchable, despite constant feeding.
What do I truly want—what does all humanity truly need—shalom. Shalom—wholeness, completeness, soundness, wellbeing of mind, body and soul, restoration to who we were intended to be before the fall, harmony not only with others, but with nature, ourselves and God. It is divine Peace.
During this season of Lent may I reflect on my neediness. May I not be ashamed of it, but encouraged and thankful that Jesus came so that I can journey to shalom—this side of heaven. You died on the cross to put me in right standing before the Most Holy. I can approach Him anywhere, anytime about anything. Nothing holds me back. I have that gift now.
In the weeks to Easter may I meet with You daily, contemplating these things. Please put on my heart what You want me to reflect on. Please help me turn away from my self-centeredness and desire to be in control. Help me admit my inadequacies and need for a Savior.
I need Your strength. I need Your wisdom. I need Your grace and compassion. I need You to direct and guide me in life. I need You to show me how to treat and love others. I need You daily.
As I stand here before You in this prayer I have no shame or embarrassment, rather gratitude and amazement; it is better to be needy and walking through life with You—than self-reliant, in charge of it all going “right,” worried and overwhelmed with how to do it.
In the Sacrificial, Yet Fully Restoring Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.
