The Story for the
Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 14, 2021
prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters
Psalm 107:1-3,17-22
Give thanks to the Lord who is good,
and whose mercy endures for ever.
Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim
that God redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
The Lord gathered them out of the lands;
from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Some were fools and took to rebellious ways;
they were afflicted because of their sins.
They abhorred all manner of food and drew near to death’s door.
Then they cried to you, O Lord, in their trouble,
and you delivered them from their distress.
You sent forth your word and healed them and saved them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to you, O Lord, for your mercy
and the wonders you do for your children.
Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving
and tell of your acts with shouts of joy.
Something to Do
Walking through Lent
This week’s breath prayer to accompany you on your walk:
This week, as you take a breath in,
Give thanks to the Lord
and, as you slowly release your breath,
whose mercy endures forever.
End your walk by thanking God for keeping you company.
A sacrifice of thanksgiving
It’s a simple assignment – say thank you this week. Say thank you to the people in your life. Say thank you to the earth that sustains you. Say thank you to the God who made you. Write your thank you’s down or speak them aloud – just don’t keep them inside.
Something to Wonder
afflicted because of their sins
Sins have consequences – sometimes because we punish ourselves in our thoughts and hearts and sometimes because of the impact they have on the world around us. When have you been afflicted because of your sins? Have you ever punished yourself – drawing near to death’s door? Have you let God deliver you?
You sent forth your word
What is the word you are waiting to hear from God? Is it possible that God has already sent it forth to you?
Something to Learn
The Whole of Psalm 107
Psalm 107 is on of the longer psalms with 47 verses organized into a set of stanzas recalling different ways in which God’s people needed (and received) God’s saving.
Read the whole psalm in the NRSV translation here.
Read an explanation of the structure of the psalm here.
Something to Pray
Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways.
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow.
The story this week has made me wonder about…
(what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.
The story this week has filled me with…
(how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.
The story this week has reminded me of…
(are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.