Lent Liturgy 2021
Lent 1 – Sunday 21st February
Symbol: Bag of silver coins
Reading: Matthew 26: 14-16 and Matthew 27: 1-5
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, as we remember your betrayal by Judas, we are reminded that we betray you too. Forgive us we pray, and confirm in us the knowledge that you will never betray us.
Reflect:
Take a moment to think about those who have been betrayed by friends; who have been falsely accused by family, friends, the media or courts; poorer nations who have been betrayed by richer nations in climate, debt and trade.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, we thank you that you understand what it is like to be isolated, condemned, and falsely accused. Teach us, like you, to be a defender of those who are marginalised, and a befriender, and comforter to all still waiting for their vindication. Amen.
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Lent 2 – Sunday 28th February
Symbol: Towel and basin
Reading: John 13: 1-17
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, suffering servant to everyone, help us to follow your example. Give us the strength to seek out, and to perform acts of service for those around us.
Reflect:
Take a moment to pray for all those in our society who are in serving or caring roles such as teachers, doctors, nurses, carers, social workers, ministers, and community magistrates; for all those who volunteer and work tirelessly to serve others whether in their family, congregation, church, community or by fundraising and campaigning for those in some of the world’s poorest communities. Particularly pray for those who have found their roles increasingly challenging during the COVID 19 pandemic. Ask God to continue to give strength and wisdom to all those who have had to adapt to new situations either at home, school or work.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, remind us that the King who leads us does so with humility as well as majesty, and cause us to build your Kingdom by your Spirit, rather than by might or power – that we might be channels for more love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in our world. Help us to find ways to serve others even when we cannot physically be together during this time. Amen.
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Lent 3 – Sunday 7th March
Symbol: The cup
Reading: Mark 14: 32-36
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, this cup reminds us of your humanity. We thank you that whatever anguish we experience yours was greater and that you will see us through.
Reflect:
Take a moment to think about those who are mourning, recently bereaved or suffering from anxiety or stress. We remember the thousands of people who have sadly lost their lives to COVID 19. Think about those who have not been able to be with their loved ones during this time of mourning. Also remember those who live below the poverty line and do not have enough to eat or drink. Thank God for the work of food banks who are working especially hard at the moment to provide for those who need their help.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, you shared our humanity – our joys, but also our struggles. Help us to again act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before you, our servant King. Amen.
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Lent 4 – Sunday 14th March
Symbol: The whip
Reading: Mark 15: 1-15
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, you were flogged; many innocent people suffer injustice. We pray especially for those being persecuted, even killed, for their faith; be with them, grant them your strength, and peace at the last.
Reflect:
Take a moment to think about the persecuted church, particularly in Nigeria, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Iraq and China. Ask God to strengthen them and let His presence be known to them. Think about organisations and individuals who are seeking to bring peace and understanding between different faiths.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, enlarge our view of your body so that we, as you, suffer each time another member suffers, and cause us to be watchful and active on behalf of our brothers and sisters who are denied a voice. Amen.
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Lent 5 – Sunday 21st March
Symbol: The crown of thorns
Reading: Matthew 27: 27-31
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, we hate being humiliated, yet it is nothing compared with yours on that first Good Friday. Enable all your people to withstand humiliation, but especially if it is for your sake, we pray.
Reflect:
Take a moment to think about those who are making a courageous stand for God and are undergoing humiliation before others as a result. Think of those seeking to stand for Christ at school, university or in the workplace and for those whose careers or spheres of influence involve difficult issues against which they may be called to speak out against.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, empower all your people to prize the glory of your name above our own reputations, statuses and success, and be close to us always, as you promised, in both the joy and humiliation that follow. Amen.
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Palm Sunday – Sunday 28th March
Symbol: Palm Cross
Reading: Matthew 21: 1-11
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, the crowds shouted their hosannas; we too praise you because you are our King. Help us to share our faith and lead others to also acknowledge you as King.
Reflect:
Take a moment to pray that we may have the courage and compassion to bear witness to who Jesus is to our friends, family and society. Think about how we can do this through acts of service and how we can share our faith more widely whilst our social interactions are reduced due to the current pandemic. Pray that as the Church, we may be bold and loving in our stand for Christ in the UK and around the world, standing together to have an increased passion for mission beyond our walls and our nation.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, break the silence of your people and cause them to be bold in proclaiming and demonstrating the joyful good news that you are King, and that you have made a way for us to know you, and love each other. Amen.
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Good Friday – Friday 2nd April
Symbol: The nails
Reading: Mark 15: 21-32
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, in our imagination we kneel at the foot of your cross. No words can express feelings, and so we keep silence, in remembrance.
Reflect:
Take a few moments to ponder what it means for you that Jesus died on the cross. Look at the picture of the nails and consider how Jesus must have felt. Remember, He did this for you because He loves you. All your sins are forgiven, and you have been set free!
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, again we look in wonder at your cross and the life you gave for us – we cannot grasp that we could be loved so much. Cause us to be a people who remember that this is how much we are loved, and that this same love was poured out for every person and empower us to love and treasure others as those you laid down your life for. Amen
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Easter Sunday – Sunday 4th April
Symbol: Flowers
Reading: John 20: 1-18
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, our long, dark walk through Lent is finished. This new day is bathed in your resurrection light!
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Reflect:
Take a moment to pray that the joy of Jesus’ resurrection life will be made known to all and for breakthrough and transformation in situations and systems which seem beyond hope.
Let us pray:
Risen Lord Jesus, may we live in the knowledge and reality of Easter as we spend our lives loving you – for yours is the victory, the sovereignty, the power and the glory forever and ever, and there is nothing, and no-one, that you cannot reach and redeem. Amen.
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- Short Cross Methodist Church
- Attwood Street
- Halesowen
- B63 3UE