Scripture Reading
John 4:23-24
"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Reflection
The woman at the well wanted to debate where to worship; Jesus shifted the question to how. True worship is not primarily about location, ceremony, or tradition — it is a movement of the whole inner person toward God in honesty and openness. Lent strips away distractions so that this kind of worship becomes possible again: unguarded, true, whole-hearted.
Prayer for Today
Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you for the grace and blessings you have given this couple during the past______ years of marriage. We celebrate and recall the day when they joined together as partners in life and we thank you for being with them on their
daily journey together through life's ups and downs.
Increase their sense of belonging to each other, just as Jesus says, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. (Matthew 19:5,6 NIV)
We thank you that you have freely given them your presence, strength, help and hope. We pray that they will continue to grow in their ability to work together for the good of each other, for the good of their family and for the good of the world.
Fill them with love, forgiveness, patience and trust.
Guide them with the light of your word where it says, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is no proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight
in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (I Corinthians 13:4-8)
Increase their sense of companionship and friendship. Grant them the ability to laugh at their mistakes and the means to share the simple pleasures of life together.
Enable them to speak the truth in love. Help them to be good listeners. And grant them wisdom and a spirit of cooperation as they make your good plans together on the tough issues and challenges they face.
Surround them with good friends and neighbors. Protect their home. Care for their family. Provide for their needs. Guard their health. And may they enjoy many other anniversaries together. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.
daily journey together through life's ups and downs.
Increase their sense of belonging to each other, just as Jesus says, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. (Matthew 19:5,6 NIV)
We thank you that you have freely given them your presence, strength, help and hope. We pray that they will continue to grow in their ability to work together for the good of each other, for the good of their family and for the good of the world.
Fill them with love, forgiveness, patience and trust.
Guide them with the light of your word where it says, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is no proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight
in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (I Corinthians 13:4-8)
Increase their sense of companionship and friendship. Grant them the ability to laugh at their mistakes and the means to share the simple pleasures of life together.
Enable them to speak the truth in love. Help them to be good listeners. And grant them wisdom and a spirit of cooperation as they make your good plans together on the tough issues and challenges they face.
Surround them with good friends and neighbors. Protect their home. Care for their family. Provide for their needs. Guard their health. And may they enjoy many other anniversaries together. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.
Amen.