And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?
As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.” Mark 2:19-20
Lord Jesus, on the church calendar, it’s Ash Wednesday—the beginning of the season of Lent. For the next forty days we have the privilege of surveying your cross, lamenting our sin, and resting in your righteousness.
May we come more fully alive to the depth of our need and the overwhelming provision of your grace. Convince us again that we are much more beloved than broken. As big of a mess we are, your mercies are exponentially greater.
Indeed, we don’t want an ordinary Lenten season, Jesus. Astonish us with your kindness, for your kindness leads us to repentance. It’s all about you, Lord Jesus. It is all about what you’ve done for us, not what we promise to do for you. It’s not about us beating ourselves up; it’s about us lifting you up.
You are the perfect Bridegroom who died to make us your cherished bride. The work has been done, the dowry has been paid in full, and the wedding dress of your righteousness is ours. The invitations have been sent out and the date has been set. Hallelujah!
Over these next forty days give us an insatiable hunger for yourself, Lord. Reveal new dimensions of your love and intensify our longing for the Day of consummate joy—the wedding feast of the Lamb. Convict us of our many sins as you convince us more fully of the incomparable riches of the gospel.
In light of your longed-for return, we choose to deny ourselves (fast) certain pleasures for this brief season; but we’re not looking to get one thing from you, Jesus—just more of you. Fill our hearts with your beauty and bounty. So very Amen we pray, in your holy and loving name.
