Lent Liturgy

Lent 2022

Ash Wednesday

“When you pray go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place.” Matthew 6:6

Today, Ash Wednesday, we start our Lenten journey once more. Over the next six weeks we are called to make a change in our daily lives as we prepare for Easter.

We hear in the first reading how it is a time for turning back to God, seeking forgiveness for the things we have done wrong, and fasting.

It is a time when many of us make a commitment – either to give something up or to try something new. A time when many of us try to pay a little more attention to our spiritual life than we normally do. Perhaps that’s why you’re reading this reflection today.

This can all feel like a big undertaking, and at the same time, as we hear in the gospel today, we are not to flaunt our actions in front of others.

This is easier said than done. But perhaps prayer can help us. By taking ourselves away to that secret room and spending time in the presence of God, we can find the strength for this Lenten journey and the challenges it brings us.

As we renew our relationship with God, and are filled with his mercy, we may be inspired to make a change to our own lives. In transforming ourselves we may even find that we transform others and the world around us too.

While we fast this year, we remember all those among us who struggle daily to get enough food for themselves and their families. Part of our Lenten challenge can be to act in solidarity with them.

Pope Francis has also appealed for today to be a special day of prayer and fasting for peace, as we pray for Ukraine.

Lent 7 – Sunday April 17th

Easter Sunday

Symbol:

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

Lent 6 – Sunday April 10th

Palm Sunday

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.

Lent 5 – Sunday April 3rd

Symbol:

The crown of thorns

crown

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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Lent 4 – Sunday March 27th

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 3 – Sunday 20th March

Symbol: The cup

communion

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 2 – Sunday 13th March

towel

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 1 – Sunday 6th March
Symbol: Bag of silver coins

pieces of silver

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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2020

worship

EASTER SUNDAY READING: John 20:1 and 11 - 18

Lord Jesus, our long dark walk through Lent is over. This new day is bathed in your resurrection light! Thanks be to God, AMEN.

WE REPLACE OUR ROAD OF TEARS WITH A CROSS OF FLOWERS

LORD JESUS, we take a moment to pray that the joy of Jesus' resurrection life will be made known to all and for breakthrough in situations and systems which seem beyond hope. As the coronavirus pandemic sweeps the world, Your world, we pray for mercy for those who are sick, comfort for those who are bereaved, strength & safety for all health workers , wisdom for politicians and a determination to work together to minimise the spread of the virus.

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,

yours the sovereignty, the power and the glory for ever and ever,

and there is nothing and no-one, that you cannot reach and redeem. AMEN.

Image may contain: plant, flower, tree, sky and outdoor

GOOD FRIDAY READING: Mark 15: 22 - 27

Lord Jesus, in our imagination we kneel at the foot of Your cross. No words can express our feelings, and so we keep silence, in remembrance.

on our road of tears, we add a tear drop and NAILS

Lord Jesus,again we look in wonder at Your cross and the life You gave for us. We cannot grasp that we should 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 poured out for every person.

Empower us to love, prize and treasure others for whom You laid down Your life.

PALM SUNDAY READING: Matthew 21: 6- 11

Let us pray : Lord Jesus, the crowds shouted their hosannas: we too, praise You because you are our King. help us to persuade others to believe that You are King.

on our road of tears, we add a tear drop and a Palm Cross

Lord Jesus, we take a moment to pray that we may have courage and compassion to bear witness to who Jesus is to our friends, family and society, through acts of service, and through sharing our faith more widely. We pray for Your Church to be bold and loving in its stand for Christ in the UK and around the world. May we stand together and have an increased passion for mission beyond our walls and our nation.

Lord Jesus, break the silence of your people and cause them to take to the streets again, proclaiming and demonstrating the joyful GOOD NEWS that You are KING, and that You have made a way for us to know You, and to know one another. Amen.

LENT 5 READING: Matthew 27 : 27 - 31

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we hate being humiliated, yet it is nothing compared with Your humiliation on that first Good Friday. Enable all your people to withstand humiliation, especially if it is for your sake.

on our road of tears, we add a tear drop and a Crown of Thorns

Lord Jesus, we take a moment to think about those who are making a courageous stand for you and are undergoing humiliation before others as a result. We pray for those seeking to stand for Jesus at school, at 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.

Lord Jesus, empower all your people to prize the glory of Your name above our own reputations, status and success, and be close to us, always, as You promised, in both the humiliation and the joy which follow. Amen

LENT 4 READING: MARK 15: 9 - 15

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you were flogged; many innocent people today suffer injustice. We pray especially for those being persecuted, even killed, for their faith; be with them, grant them Your strength, and peace at on our road of tears, we add a tear drop and a WHIP. Lord Jesus, we take a moment to think about the persecuted church, particularly in Nigeria, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Iraq and China. Strengthen them and let Your presence be known to them. We pray for organisations and individuals, seeking to bring peace and understanding between different faiths.

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.