“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”
Jeremiah 29: 11
March 15, 2024
Bring Beauty From Ashes
During Lent, we are reminded of our difficulties and struggles. Sometimes the way has seemed too dark. Sometimes we feel like our lives have been marked by such grief and pain, that we don’t see how our circumstances can ever change.
But amid our weakness, we ask that you be strong on our behalf. Lord, rise up within us;let your Spirit shine out of every broken place we have walked through. Allow your power to be manifest through our weakness, so that others will recognize that it is You who is at work on our behalf. We ask to trade the ashes of our lives for the beauty of your presence. Trade our mourning and grief for the oil of joy and gladness from your Spirit. Please trade our despair for hope and praise. We choose to give you thanks today and believe that this season of darkness will fade.
Thank you for being with us in whatever we face and for being greater than this trial. We know and recognize that you are Sovereign. We thank you for the victory that is ours because of Christ Jesus. We are confident that you have good still in store for our future.
Reverend Geoffrey E. Tate, Sr.
Minister to Seniors
Minister to Grief Share
Prayer: We thank you that you are at work right now, trading our ashes for greater beauty. We praise you for making all things new. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Lent 2024
We invite you to join us in reflection, meditation and prayer for a season of renewal, repentance and rejoicing from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
Each day is a reflection representing the thoughts and aspirations of the members and friends of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church expressing what the season of Lent means to them. Their wide range of perspectives describe how this time of renewal, repentance and rejoicing has been and will be used to focus on Jesus’ life, crucifixion and resurrection.
Read along with us each day or download the book to read and write along with us offline.