a prayer anticipating the holiest week of the year
In less than a weeks time we will be in the midst of the holiest week of the year. How have you personally prepared? How has your community of faith anticipated and focused for this important observance?
I find as I come into such “special and set-apart times” that if I “just let it happen” - often nothing does. It is when I allow myself to be transformed through personal preparation or my involvement with a communal commitment that the “special time” takes on a heightened significance and becomes transformative. One practice, apart from all the rest, that has become a way of preparation in my life is reciting a prayer for such an occasion. In this week proceeding Holy Week, I will be praying this prayer at least once a day.
O Lord my God, to you and to your service I devote myself, body, soul, and spirit.
Fill my memory with the record of your mighty works;
enlighten my understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit;
and may all the desires of my heart and will center in what you would have me do.
Make me an instrument of your salvation for the people entrusted to my care,
and grant that by my life and teaching I may set forth your true and living Word.
Be always with me in carrying out the duties of my faith.
In prayer, quicken my devotion;
in praises, heighten my love and gratitude;
in conversation give me readiness of thought and expression;
and grant that, by the clearness and brightness of your holy Word,
all the world may be drawn into your blessed kingdom.
All this I ask for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
(From the Book of Common Prayer)
