Most Gracious and Loving God,

In this moment of reading and prayer, we lift and bear our souls to you. Please help us to place our trust in you. Lead us into your truth. Wash away our sins and make us as pure as the new-fallen snow. Allow us to embrace your mercy and forgiveness for when we have strayed. May we join our voices with all the saints and praise your name with open and loving hearts, for you are worthy of all our praise.

As we enter the Lenten season, we ask that you empower us to introspect into our lives and actions. Give us the strength to approach you in prayer and fasting to seek your guidance. Allow us to see ourselves clearly. Remove any shame we may feel. Lord, allow our faith in your son, our savior Jesus Christ, to wash us clean and break the power of sin in our lives. Please help us to experience the joy we find in following you more closely. Enable us to remain faithful to your calling as disciples of Jesus Christ.

In your holy name, we pray, Amen.

Rev. Geoff Beakley