Prayer for a Holy Lent

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’

Luke 18:13

Father in Heaven,

May we come before you with downcast eyes.  May our hearts become heavy as we remember our sin.  May we see our meager attempts at righteousness as so much straw.  Father we know that your law and commandments are not a path to salvation, but rather your way of showing us how we would live if we were in fact perfectly faithful to you.  Your law and commandments shine a bright light on us, Lord, exposing the awful, sinful inclinations of our hearts.  We have rebelled against you.  We have taken our seat on your throne.  We are prideful and stiff-necked.  We trust ourselves instead of trusting you.  We lack faith.

Father, during this most holy season of Lent,  may we accept the invitation to deeper faith that you always grant when we are convicted of our sin.  Hear our cries.  Lord we believe.  Help us in our unbelief.  Come, Holy Spirit.  Convict our timid souls.   Amen.

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