Praying Together 2021

19 Week Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. COLLECT As we begin our Lenten journey, let us pray. ( pause ) Merciful God, tenderly guide us through this Lenten season. May your love within us be seen in what we do. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 1:12-15 Right away God’s Spirit made Jesus go into the desert. He stayed there for forty days while Satan tested him. Jesus was with the wild animals, but angels took care of him. After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee and told the good news that comes from God. He said, “The time has come! God’s kingdom will soon be here. Turn back to God and believe the good news!” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE In the next minute of silence, become aware of your breathing. Try to slow it down. Feel your breath as it comes into your body filling you with life and with peace. Repeat these words in your mind: ‘Turn back to God and believe the good news’. As you take one more deep breath, open your eyes, ready to begin your day. DISMISSAL May God bless us and protect us and bring us to eternal life. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Ring the bell or chime to signal the end of the prayer. Extinguish the candle. Friday after Ash Wednesday 19 February 2021 “Turn back to God and believe the good news!”