Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save,

[Silence]

You know what it is to be tempted, to face trials, to experience the presence of evil. You walked the desert, you experienced the invitation to take the short cut, to avoid suffering, to cull power and prestige, by simply sinning against yourself. But you didn’t do that; rather, you set the example for us, for in weakness, you were strong.

As we begin this Lenten season, we come before you in our weakness, acknowledging that we are pressed on every side and stand in need of you. Only you can relieve the pressures we feel, only you can undo the ties that bind, only you can unload our oppressive weights. You bring with your presence an easy yoke, a light burden, and tell the pressures that we face, “my servant will be unbroken!”

Our need is great, and during Lent, we feel that need acutely. Meet us in our need, fill us full of you, call us away from the distractions of life to give you our attention so that, this Lent, above all Lents, we experience you more fully in power than we ever have before.

For we desire to taste your goodness, to touch the hem of your robe like the bleeding woman, to see your power at work in our midst, and to hear your voice whisper to us, “this is my child, my beloved.” You are the giver of all good things, you make yourself accessible to us, and for that, we offer all praise and our commitment to keep this Lent a Holy Lent.

We can do so through the grace your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, provides to us, his brothers and sisters. For this, we give you thanks.

Amen.