As I shared earlier, I am getting in on this Lent bandwagon.  I am actually very excited about the chance to focus the next
several weeks on reflection, generosity, and increased scripture reading and prayer. Â How can that be bad?
One thing that I am using to go through this season is a book that I also mentioned yesterday.  It is called by Stanley Hauerwas. I will be reading these prayers, in addition to scripture, and reflecting on them throughout the day.
I want to share something that he wrote on the book-flap.
If anything, these prayers are plain.  They are so because I discovered I could not pray differently than I speak.  In other words, I thought it would be a mistake to try to assume a different identity when I prayed.  I figured… that God could take it, because God did not need to be protected.  I think I leaned this over the yearsby praying the Psalms in church. God does not want us to come to the altar differently from how we live therest of our lives.  Therefore I do not try to be pious or use pious language in these prayers.  I try to speak plainly, yet I hope with some eloquence, since nothing is more eloquent than simplicity.† Stanley Hauerwas
Here is today’s prayer…
“MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE, you have made us your servants, kings and queens in your world. Â We confess we do not feel much like rulers: we are not only incapable of doing what we want, we are not even sure what we should or do want. Â We, in short, do not even seem to rule ourselves. Â As a result we fail you, our brothers and sisters in Christ, our brothers and sisters who are in the world, and ourselves. Â Give us the enthusiasm of your Spirit, that we may be so filled with your love that others will be attracted to your rule. AMEN.” Â Stanley Hauerwas
Peace, Jim
