Evening Prayer Wednesday, 31 March 2021
This is the point in Holy Week when the world turns for Jesus:
halfway to Easter and there’s no turning back.
Perhaps his Wednesday was as beautiful as ours has been –
a day of warmth, a day of glorious sun, a day when you can almost see the trees awakening.
Jesus was at the Synagogue every day, as usual, and he was people-watching.
Here was his view as described in Luke 21.
As Jesus looked up he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly, I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she gave hers out of her poverty, putting in all she had to live on.’
Luke 21: 1–4 NIV®
This anonymous woman (yet another!) was not even seen by the well-dressed,
perhaps pompous, worshippers
but Jesus was good at the detail – noticing the small things, noticing the not noticeable.
Let’s give thanks for today and offer it up as our contribution to the world, no matter how small.
Into your hands I place my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord.
As evening wanes and night approaches, cover me, hide me beneath your spacious wings.
Save me from danger, protect me from harm while waking and guard me while sleeping
so that awake I may watch with Christ and asleep may rest in peace.
Through Christ our redeemer we pray.
Amen
The day may have been hard for you with your contribution hardly noticed,
your loving kindnesses unappreciated.
God values all that you have done, all you have sacrificed, all you have given,
all that you are and God provides strength for you to be all that you can be.
Breathe deeply of this peaceful evening and gather your thoughts for the people we love,
the people who love us, the people who have touched our lives and given us hope.
Into your hands we place those for whom we care, for whom we watch,
be they close by or on some distant shore.
Grant them your solace in the hard places,
give them peace in their hearts and grant them comfortable sleep.
In the name of Christ our comforter we pray.
Amen
In peace we lie down to sleep, for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord, for the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night watch looks eagerly for the morning so do we look for you, O Christ.
Amen
As we sink into the soft darkness of the night may the Lord bless us and watch over us.
May the Lord make his face shine on us and be gracious to us.
May the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace.
Cheryl Montgomery
