Lenten Devotional

Read and pray over the Scripture from John 17.  Then, spend some time in prayer, using the prayer from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as your guide.  How do we need to seek unity as the people of New Hope? How might we become more unified with our Christian brothers and sisters from other cultures, races, and denominations? Ask God to show you those places deep within you that are resisting unity, peace, justice, and wholeness.  

John 17:20-21, I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

A Prayer from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind;
in whom to dwell is to find peace and security;
toward whom to turn is to find life and life eternal,
we humbly beseech Thee for all sorts and conditions of men;
that thou wouldst be pleased to make thy ways known unto them,
Thy saving health unto all nations.
We also pray for Thy holy Church universal;
that it may be so guided and governed by Thy Spirit,
that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth,
and hold the faith in unity of spirit,
in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.
Finally, we commend to Thy Fatherly goodness all those who are in any way afflicted or distressed in mind or body.
Give them patience under the suffering and power of endurance.
This we ask in the name of Jesus.

Amen.