LLL Lenten Devotional Thread (Ecumenical)

[JVAC]

The Leauge of Liberated Lutherans presents:​

The Lenten Devotional Thread ​

​

Here we can all take advantage of the reason for the season and draw closer to our Lord through prayers, hymns, images, scripture and etc. This thread is strictly devotional so we can keep the chit-chat down and no debating.​

Starting​

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In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen.​

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

 

[JVAC]

Jesus, in Thy Dying Woes
LBW #112
(Parts 1-3)

Jesus in thy dying woes,
Even while thy life blood flows,
Craving pardon for thy foes:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

Savior, for our pardon sue
When our sins thy pangs renew,
For we know not what we do:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

Oh, may we who mercy need,
Be like thee in heart and deed,
When with wrong our spirits bleed:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Jesus, pitying the sighs
Of the thief, who near thee dies,
Promising him paradise:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

May we in our guilt and shame
Still thy love and mercy claim,
Calling humbly on thy name:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

May our hearts to thee incline,
Looking from our cross to thine.
Cheer our souls with hope divine:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Jesus, loving to the end
Her whose heart thy sorrows rend,
And thy dearest human friend:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

May we in thy sorrows share,
For thy sake all peril dare,
And enjoy thy tender care:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

May we all thy loved ones be,
All one holy family,
Loving for the love of thee:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

 

[theologia crucis]

LBW 99

O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days

1. O Lord, throughout these forty days
You prayed and kept the fast;
Inspire repentance for our sin,
And free us from our past.

2. You strove with Satan, and You won;
Your faithfulness endured;
Lend us Your nerve, Your skill and trust
In God’s eternal Word.

3. Though parched and hungry, yet You prayed
And fixed Your mind above;
So teach us to deny ourselves,
Since we have known God’s love.

4. Be with us through this season, Lord,
And all our earthly days,
That when the final Easter dawns,
We join in heaven’s praise.

 

[nyj]

First Word: Father, Forgive Them. For They Know Not What They Do.

O Jesus, who hung in agony upon the Cross out of love for me, and by your pains paid for my sins, you who spoke of pardon for your persecutors, obtain pardon for all those who are now facing death, and have pity on me when I am facing mine. By the merits of your precious blood shed for our salvation, grant us continual sorrow for our sins so that we may share eternal life with you.

Amen.

Have mercy on us, O Lord.
My God, I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you. I am sorry for my sins because by them I have offended you.


Second Word: This Day Shall You Be With Me In Paradise.

My Jesus, who in agony on the Cross, did readily respond to the faith of the good thief who acknowledged you as the Son of God, you who assured him of a place in heaven, pity all of those who are facing death and pity me when I am facing mine. By the merit of your precious blood, shed for us, wake up in our souls a firm and steadfast faith. Protect us from the temptations of Satan so that we may obtain the prize of holy paradise with you forever.

Amen.

Have mercy on us, O Lord.
My God, I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you. I am sorry for my sins because by them I have offended you.


Third Word: Behold Your Son; Behold Your Mother.

Oh Jesus, who out of love for me hung in agony on the Cross and who left your own most holy Mother as a sign of your love so that through her intercession we might seek your assistance, have pity on us. Have pity on all the faithful who are facing death and have pity on me when I also shall face mine. By the sorrows of your dear Mother, nurture in our hearts a hope that, through the merits of your precious blood, we may escape the sentence of eternal death in hell.

Amen.

Have mercy on us, O Lord.
My God, I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you. I am sorry for my sins because by them I have offended you.



Fourth Word: My God! My God! Why Have You Forsaken Me?

O Jesus, out of love for me you hung in agony upon the Cross. While bodily suffering and indignities were heaped upon you, the most desperate desolation of spirit was being forsaken by your eternal Father. Have pity on all the faithful who are facing death, and pity me when I too shall be facing mine. By the merits of your precious blood, may we patiently suffer our last agony, and may we join our pains with yours so that we may be made partakers of your glory in paradise.

Amen.

Have mercy on us, O Lord.
My God, I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you. I am sorry for my sins because by them I have offended you.



Fifth Word:I Thirst.

O Jesus, in agony you hung upon the Cross for me. You suffered unquenchable physical thirst and an insatiable tolerance for insults and suffering. Yet the more you suffered so that all people might be saved, the more you demonstrated the enormous love you had in your heart. Pity all the faithful who are now facing death, and pity me when I also shall be facing mine. By the merits of your precious blood, fire in our hearts such a great love that we will be made one with you for all eternity.

Amen.

Have mercy on us, O Lord.
My God, I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you. I am sorry for my sins because by them I have offended you.



Sixth Word:It Is Consummated.

O Jesus, you hung in agony on the Cross for love of me. From this tree you announced the truth of my redemption, a redemption which made us children of God and heirs of heaven. Pity all the faithful who are now facing death; pity me when I also shall be facing mine. By the merits of your precious blood, detach us from the pleasures of the world and grant us the grace to offer you the sacrifice of our life in reparation of our sins.

Amen.

Have mercy on us, O Lord.
My God, I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you. I am sorry for my sins because by them I have offended you.


Seventh Word:Father, Into Your Hands I Commend My Spirit.

O Jesus, you hung in agony on the Cross for love of me. You accomplished my salvation through your full acceptance of the will of your eternal Father. You commended your spirit into his hands, bowed your head and died. Have pity on all the faithful who are now facing death, and pity me when I too shall be facing mine. By the merits of your precious blood, give us our last breath a complete conformity to your divine will. Make us ready to live or die as it pleases you. Let us desire nothing more than to accomplish whatever you have willed for us.

Amen.

Have mercy on us, O Lord.
My God, I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you. I am sorry for my sins because by them I have offended you.



*The reflection on the third word is predominantly Catholic in thought, but I hope that perhaps the other six might be particularly of benefit. If what I put here offends, my apologies.

 

[Breetai]

The Transfiguration of Our Lord​

Deuteronomy 34
1 Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land--from Gilead to Dan,
2 all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea,
3 the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar.
4 Then the LORD said to him, "This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it."
5 And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said.
6 He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.
7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.
8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.
9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.
10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,
11 who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt--to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land.
12 For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 4
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.(NIV)

Luke 9
28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.
29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.
30 Two men, Moses and Elijah,
31 appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.
32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.)
34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him."
36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.(NIV)

 

[Breetai]

Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.
The Lord reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.
Great is the Lord in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name --
he is holy.
The King is mighty, he loves justice --
you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done
what is just and right.
Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen
Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.

 

[Breetai]

LBW 306
Chief of Sinners Though I Be

Chief of sinners though I be,
Jesus shed his blood for me,
Died that I might live on high,
Lives that I might never die.
As the branch is to the vine,
I am his, and he is mine.

Oh, the height of Jesus’ love,
Higher than the heavens above,
Deeper than the depths of sea,
Lasting as eternity!
Love that found me wondrous thought
Found me when I sought him not.

Only Jesus can impart
Balm to heal the wounded heart,
Peace that flows from sin forgiven,
Joy that lifts the soul to heaven,
Faith and hope to walk with God
In the way that Enoch trod.

Chief of sinners though I be,
Christ is all in all to me;
All my wants to him are known,
All my sorrows are his own.
He sustains the hidden life
Safe with him from earthly strife.

O my Savior, help afford
By your spirit and your Word!
When my wayward heart would stray,
Keep me in the narrow way;
Grace in time of need supply
While I live and when I die.

 

[theologia crucis]

LW 91

My Song Is Love Unknown

1. My song is love unknown,
My Savior’s love to me,
Love to the loveless shown
That they might lovely be.
Oh, who am I
That for my sake
My Lord should take
Frail flesh and die?

2. He came from His blest throne
Salvation to bestow;
But men made strange, and none
The longed-for Christ would know.
But, oh, my friend,
My friend indeed,
Who at my need
His life did spend!

3. Sometimes they strew His way
And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King.
Then “Crucify!”
Is all their breath,
And for His death
They thirst and cry.

4. Why, what hath my Lord done?
Whatmakes this rage andspite?
He made the lame to run,
He gave the blind their sight.
Sweet injuries!
Yet they at these
Themselves displease
And ‘gainst Him rise.

5. They rise and needs will have
My dear Lord made away;
A murderer they save,
The Prince of Life they slay.
Yet cheerful He
To suff’ring goes
That he His foes
From thence might free.

6. In life no house, no home
My Lord on earth might have;
In death no friendly tomb
But what a stranger gave.
What may I say?
Heav’n was His home
But mine the tomb
Wherein He lay.

7. Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine!
Never was love, dear King,
Never was grief like Thine.
This is my friend,
In whose sweet praise
I all my days
Could gladly spend!

 

[theologia crucis]

LW 329

"From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee"

by Martin Luther, 1483-1546

1. From depths of woe I cry to Thee,
Lord, hear me, I implore Thee.
Bend down Thy gracious ear to me,
My prayer let come before Thee.
If Thou rememberest each misdeed,
If each should have its rightful meed,
Who may abide Thy presence?

2. Thy love and grace alone avail
To blot out my transgression;
The best and holiest deeds must fail
To break sin's dread oppression.
Before Thee none can boasting stand,
But all must fear Thy strict demand
And live alone by mercy.

3. Therefore my hope is in the Lord
And not in mine own merit;
It rests upon His faithful Word
To them of contrite spirit
That He is merciful and just;
This is my comfort and my trust.
His help I wait with patience.

4. And though it tarry till the night
And till the morning waken,
My heart shall never doubt His might
Nor count itself forsaken.
Do thus, O ye of Israel's seed,
Ye of the Spirit born indeed;
Wait for your God's appearing.

5. Though great our sins and sore our woes,
His grace much more aboundeth;
His helping love no limit knows,
Our utmost need it soundeth.
Our shepherd good and true is He,
Who will at last His Israel free
From all their sin and sorrow.

 

[theseed]

Before The Throne Of God Above

Before the throne of God above,

I have a strong, a perfect plea,

A great High Priest whose name is "Love,"

Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,

My name is written on His heart;

I know that while in heav’n He stands

no tongue can bid me thence depart.

No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair ,
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me.
to look on him and pardon me.

Behold him there! the risen Lamb,
my perfect, spotless Righteousness,
the great unchangeable I AM,
the King of glory and of grace!
One with Himself I cannot die,
My soul is purchased by His blood;
My life is hid with Christ on high,
with Christ, my Savior and my God
with Christ, my Savior and my God

Bancroft

 

[theseed]

PRACTICE OF BELIEVERS​

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4.1-6)



We are called to follow Jesus Christ (those who believe in him) to be holy, to be free, to a new hope, a new life in God, in a new identity, and to be united with fellow believers[1]. Therefore, we must be humble, patient, and bearing with one another in love[2]. We must always be quick to listen and slow to speak, and slow to anger[3]. Peace never comes naturally; peace is only accomplished through our efforts, and submission to Jesus Christ. Peace is only accomplished through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit as He enables us to forgive one another and have compassion.[4]



We must let no unvirtuous speech proceed from our lips, but encourage and exhort one another in brotherly love.[5] For what’s in the heart of a man is what springs from his mouth[6]. By his shall all men know that we are His disciples, if we love one another. [7] The kind of self-sacrificing love where one puts the interests of others before his own.[8] Perhaps it means taking the time to listen, or the time to help, or sharing. Therefore, we must work to be of one mind and one spirit, agreeing with one another in pursing the cause of Christ[9].


[1] Eph. 4.1, 1.4; Gal. 5.13; Col. 3.2


[2] Eph. 4.2,


[3] James 1.19


[4] Eph. 4.32


[5] Eph. 4.29


[6] Luke 16.45; Matt. 12.34


[7] John 13.35


[8] 1 Cor. 13


[9] 1 Cor. 1.10

 

[theseed]

“I will be a witness when words are not enough”
​

(Avalon – ‘Testify to Love”)
​

Many times we will encounter others who will not listen to your testimony of God’s love. Many times, we, the children of God, will come across those who will close their ears because of the hypocrisy they have seen through us. “The greatest single cause of atheism today is Christians who profess Jesus with their lips, but walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle” (DC Talk). Apparently, they close up their ears, yet watch us with their eyes.



Sometimes words are not enough, no matter what we say, no one will listen to our message. In such times we can only be a witness--we can only express God’s love through our actions. Truly, words without love are obnoxious. So we must not love with words or tongue but in truth (1 John 3.18). Prophecies and tongues will disappear, but God’s Word will remain, and become perfected in us, made into love. Love abides forever. But more on this later, now I want to say that most of the time we must love others before they will listen to us. And pray for God to build a bridge for us to receive a hearing.



Our daily walk with God must have love, not just profound words of wisdom, or destructive criticism. These kinds of works without love are like the dead---they reek. Patience, kindness, and forgiveness will prevail over words of persuasion. Often with others who do not have a relationship with Christ, we must be like Jesus, overlook their adultery and idolatry, draw in the dirt, and simply say go and sin no more (John 8.11). Not that we rejoice with their works of evil, indeed, love rejoices with the Truth (1 Corinthians 13). But, no one can understand the truth unless God reveals it to them through his Spirit. And we must walk the walk, but not talk the talk when others won’t listen, but will watch.



They (the lost) can not understand the spiritual things of God, but we have the gifts on the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2.4). The disciples could not discern Jesus’ words, until his resurrection. His actions opened the eyes of his follows. In the same way our actions can help open the eyes of the “carnal” person. (Remember the Spirit works through us). Jesus commanded his follows to love one another, because by our love will all know we are his disciples (John 13.35).

 

[JVAC]

Jesus in Thy Dying Woes
LBW #112 (Parts 4-7)

Jesus, whelmed in fears unknown,
With our evil left alone,
while no light from heav'n is shown:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

When we seem in vain to pray
And our hope seems far away,
In the darkness be our stay:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Though no Father seem to hear,
Though no light our spirits cheer,
May we know that God is near:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Jesus, in thy thirst and pain,
While thy wounds thy lifeblood drain,
Thirsting more our love to gain:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Thirst for us in mercy still;
All thy holy work fulfill;
Satisfy thy loving will:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

May we thirst thy love to know;
Lead us in our sin and woe
Where the healing waters flow:
Hear us, Holy Jesus

Jesus, all our ransom paid,
All thy Fathers will obeyed;
By thy suff'rings perfect made:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Save us in our soul's distress;
Be our help to cheer and bless,
While we grow in holiness:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Brighten all our heav'nward way
With an ever holier ray
Till we pass to perfect day:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Jesus, all thy labor vast,
All thy woe and conflict past;
Yielding up thy soul at last:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

When the death shades round us low'r,
Guard us from the tempter's pow'r,
Keep us in that trial hour:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

May thy life and death supply
Grace to live and grace to die.
Grace to reach the home on high:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Eternal Father, I offer the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its love, all its suffering and all its merits; to expiate all the sins I have committed this day, and during all my life; to purify the good that I have done this day and during my life; to make up for the good I ought to have done and that I have neglected this day and during all my life. Amen.

 

[Phoebe]

(Make the sign of the cross)
God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.

(Luther's morning prayer)
I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have protected me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask that you would also protect me today from every sin and all evil, so that my life and actions may please you completely. For into your hands I commend myself; my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Prayer for Ash Wednesday:
Almighty and ever- living God, you hate nothing that you have made and you forgive all the sins of those who are penitent. Create in me a new and honest heart, so that, repenting of my sins, I may obtain from you, the God of all mercy, full pardon and forgiveness; through your Son, Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

[countrymousenc]

Amen

(sign of cross)

Isaiah 58:3-12

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not?
Wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge?
Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labors.
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness:
Ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul?
Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free,
And that ye break every yoke?
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?
When thou seest him naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall bring forth speedily:
And thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rearward.
Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shalt say,
Here I am.

If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul;
Then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday;
And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought,
And make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
And they that shalt be of thee shall build the old waste places:
Thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations;
And thou shalt be called, The Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Paths to Dwell in.

 

[nyj]

The Seven Penitential Psalms (recommended to be said each day during the 40 days of Lent):

Psalm 6

Psalm 32

Psalm 38

Psalm 51

Psalm 102

Psalm 130

Psalm 143

 

[countrymousenc]

The Epistle for Ash Wednesday. Joel 2:12

Turn ye even to me, saith the LORD, with all your heart, and with fasting,
And with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments,
And turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him;
Even a meat-offereing and a drink-offering unto the LORD your God?
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders,
Gather the children, and those that suck the breasts:
Let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say,
Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them:
Wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

 

[JVAC]

(from elca.org)