29 February 2020

Praying through Lent with
USPG (4): 29 February 2020

Hope against adversity … a fading rose on the fence at Birkenau; behind is one of the watchtowers and a train wagon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

Today [29 February 2020] is fourth day of Lent.

During Lent this year, I am using the USPG Prayer Diary, Pray with the World Church, for my morning prayers and reflections, and – because this year marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the end of the Holocaust – illustrating my reflections with images on this theme.

USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel) is the Anglican mission agency that partners churches and communities worldwide in God’s mission to enliven faith, strengthen relationships, unlock potential, and champion justice. It was founded in 1701.

This week (23-29 February), the USPG Prayer Diary is focussing on Saint John the Evangelist Church in Casablanca, which has become a spiritual home for displaced people. On Sunday [23 March 2020], the diary published a reflection by the Rev’d Canon Dr Medhat Sabry, Chaplain of Saint John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Casablanca.

However, the prayer today turns to an obvious theme on this extra day in February in this leap year:

Saturday 29 February 2020:

Let us rejoice with everyone who receives and accepts a marriage proposal today.

Readings: Isaiah 58: 9b-14; Psalm 86: 1-7; Luke 5: 27-32.

The Lenten Collect:

Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

‘Love is the Answer’ … a message in a window in Skerries, Co Dublin (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Continued tomorrow

Yesterday’s reflection

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