Scripture Reading
Matthew 6:6
"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Reflection
Jesus's instructions about prayer in Matthew 6 protect against the corruption of religious practice into performance. The Father who sees in secret values what no audience sees — the quiet, unglamorous faithfulness of a soul alone with God. Lent is a good time to tend to the hidden interior life that nobody else knows about and that matters most of all.
Prayer for Today
Lord, I praise you because you have kept me alive all these years. I have lived to see my fiftieth birthday.
Thank you for sustaining my life through the ups and downs and always being by my side.
You have blessed my life with abundance in all areas and my heart is full of joy.
As I start a new year in life, help me keep trusting in you and never stop believing in your mighty power.
You are my God and I have no other and may my eyes be upon you for the rest of my life.
I look forward to many more years knowing you have promised me a long and fruitful life. Your plans for my future are perfect and not evil (Jeremiah 29:11).
Give me the strength I need to face life in the second half of my life.
May I enjoy the beauty that surrounds me each day and to marvel at your goodness in my life.
Help me see my life through your eyes and remember you still have a purpose for me.
Your plans for my life have not expired and are valid till the day I leave this earth.
Thank you for fifty wonderful years full of laughter and joy.
You have blessed me with a wonderful family and they have been a blessing to my life.
I have enjoyed seeing them grow and mature into the people you wanted them to be.
Your love has filled our hearts every time we have shared joyful moments and family gatherings.
My heart is full of praise for the things you have helped me achieve in my life until this point.
I would not have done them without your help. You have been an ever present help when I needed you the most (Psalm 46:1).
May I not lack anything because you are my God and my provider.
Fill my days with the joy of your Spirit and keep me in good health always.
Grant me your wisdom to handle my days well and to live a full life.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Thank you for sustaining my life through the ups and downs and always being by my side.
You have blessed my life with abundance in all areas and my heart is full of joy.
As I start a new year in life, help me keep trusting in you and never stop believing in your mighty power.
You are my God and I have no other and may my eyes be upon you for the rest of my life.
I look forward to many more years knowing you have promised me a long and fruitful life. Your plans for my future are perfect and not evil (Jeremiah 29:11).
Give me the strength I need to face life in the second half of my life.
May I enjoy the beauty that surrounds me each day and to marvel at your goodness in my life.
Help me see my life through your eyes and remember you still have a purpose for me.
Your plans for my life have not expired and are valid till the day I leave this earth.
Thank you for fifty wonderful years full of laughter and joy.
You have blessed me with a wonderful family and they have been a blessing to my life.
I have enjoyed seeing them grow and mature into the people you wanted them to be.
Your love has filled our hearts every time we have shared joyful moments and family gatherings.
My heart is full of praise for the things you have helped me achieve in my life until this point.
I would not have done them without your help. You have been an ever present help when I needed you the most (Psalm 46:1).
May I not lack anything because you are my God and my provider.
Fill my days with the joy of your Spirit and keep me in good health always.
Grant me your wisdom to handle my days well and to live a full life.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Amen.