Archive for April 2025
Spotless and Unstained Virgin
As we wind down our 2025 Daily Lenten Journey on Prayer, today we turn our attention to the final prayers of Compline. These prayers are common to both the Small Compline and Great Compline, so they seem fitting to begin the wrap up of our journey. Toward the end of Compline two faithful readers come…
Read MoreGreat Compline Prayer Three
Not every prayer is long, but every prayer is important. The shortest prayer is only one word, Amen. Some prayers are so long we struggle to remain attentive. Our Daily Lenten Journey has been reviewing all sorts of prayers, long and short. Today’s prayer isn’t long, but it is powerful. O Master God, Father Almighty,…
Read MoreGreat Compline Prayer Two
Many weeks ago, even before we began our Great Lenten Journey, the Church prepared us with the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. One saved and another not. One filled with pride and another who could not even lift his eyes to heaven. We return there today. Today’s prayer reads like the ‘extended version’…
Read MoreGreat Compline Prayer One
The final service our Daily Lenten Journey will review is unique to Great Lent. Although the Small Compline is ‘part’ of our regular evening prayers as individuals, the Great Compline is ONLY offered during Great Lent, and it is offered normally in the Church. The term ‘compline’ is a translation of the Greek word meaning…
Read MoreVespers Prayer at the Bowing of our Heads
We wrap up our discussion of the silent prayers of Vespers today with a practical yet poignant prayer. This prayer might be basic, but it leads us to the best understanding of our relationship with God. We know we need God, but do we know nobody else can help us? O Lord our God, Who…
Read MoreVespers Entrance Prayer
Vespers is the “Twelfth Hour” and therefore the service that straddles the gap between day and night. Behind us are the hours of the day. Ahead are the watches of the night. Today’s Daily Lenten Journey will feature the prayer during which we ‘enter’ into the night. In the evening, at dawn, and at midday,…
Read MoreLamplighting Prayer Seven
Did you know we offer God more than just words during Church? Some people think the tradition of offering God sacrifices ended with the Old Testament. Every day in the Church we offer God more than just our thoughts and prayers. The Old Testament mandatory sacrifices included animal sacrifices for all sorts of reasons. You…
Read MoreLamplighting Prayer Six
Every time we pray to God we are reminded of the many things He has already done for us. It is almost as if we are saying to Him, “I know you have already done a lot, but there is just one more thing I need today.” Today’s Daily Lenten Journey on Prayer is that…
Read MoreLamplighting Prayer Five
We spend a lot of time thinking about God as the all-powerful judge. We make decisions based upon the worry that God will punish us if we choose incorrectly. The one thing we rarely think about God is a loving and compassionate God Who delicately watches over us. Until now. Today’s Daily Lenten Journey on…
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