Coffee in the Morning by George Mendoza
Good morning, good God!
Well, Lent is half over, Lord:
we’re three weeks away from Easter
and I should be at least half prepared
to celebrate your resurrection
– but I’m not.
I’m not sure I’m even 1/40th ready
for Easter Sunday!
Beginning with Ash Wednesday I was doing really well,
right up until the First Sunday of Lent
and I know, Lord – that was only 4 days…
So, as I offer you what I’ve done
– and haven’t done – for Lent,
and I pray you’ll have some mercy on me…
I offer you my lack of self-discipline
and all the ways I so easily excuse myself:
– give me greater stamina and determination…
I offer you my flimsy promises,
always made with firm intentions
but failing in the follow-through:
– give me the grace of perseverance, Lord….
I offer you my mistakes, Lord,
hoping you’ll forgive me
and accept my renewed pledge
to pray more often,
to go without
and to reach out to the poor…
Give me the gift of a new heart, Lord,
create a new spirit within me…
Be with me, Lord,
before me, behind me,
above and below me:
be with me, Lord,
and in temptation, be my strength…
When I put off prayer,
draw me to a quiet place and sit me down
to be with you, to speak with you,
to get to know you better…
When I’m tempted to indulge
on what I’ve given up for this Lent,
remind me of the reason:
to fill my soul with the food of your word…
When I spend too much on myself
and consume what’s more than my share,
show me how much I have,
show me, Lord, where I have too much,
– more than I need –
and teach me how to be generous
with those who have little or nothing at all…
I offer the rest of these Lenten days
and I pray you’ll strengthen my will and resolve,
and keep me faithful to growing in you, Lord,
in your mercy, your grace and your peace...
Amen.
