Opening Prayer: O God, our Heavenly Father, thank you that as
you sent Jesus into the desert, you sent him with the words, “You are my
Beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” ringing in his ears. Thank you that those words sustained him and
offered him encouragement and nurture during his time of temptation in the desert. Thank you that we too can carry those words
into whatever deserts we may encounter; that we might be nurtured and sustained
by your great affection in our times of deepest need. Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11
Journal: What do you think God was up to as he led Jesus
into the desert? What do you think his
purpose was for leading Jesus there?
What is the value of “the desert” in our lives? What might God be up to in the deserts of
your life?
Reflection:
The desert initiates us into the life of the Spirit
by helping us to discover who we most deeply are. To follow Christ means that we must let go of
excessive attachments to passing pleasures and possessions, to ploys of
autonomous power, to tangible goods as if they were ultimate. Christ asks us to abandon our idols, whatever
they may be, and to love him with our entire being. (With Christ in the
School of Prayer by Andrew Murray)
Prayers
Closing Prayer: O Lord my God, give me an ever-deepening
intimacy with you, and an ever-deepening trust in your unfailing love. Amen.
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