今年も、バイオラ大学のレントプロジェクトをレントのデボーションに使っている。先週(木曜日から土曜日まで)は「自分を知る」というテーマ、そして今週は「悔い改め」というテーマ。いくつか紹介されていた祈りが心に響いたので、ここに書き留めておく。

 
Almighty God, who hast created us in thine own image:
 Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil 
and to make no peace with oppression; 
and, that we may reverently use our freedom, 
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities 
and among the nations, 
to the glory of Thy holy Name,
Amen
(Book of Common Prayer )


Almighty God 
you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: 
Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; 
that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, 
our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you 
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
(The Book of Common Prayer) 


あと、これは昨日のところから抜粋。
Trust that the Lord is your portion. That to follow Jesus is to find everlasting life. That He Himself is that everlasting life.
Trust that the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Turn. Repent. Look to the Lord.
And the Lord will turn to you. He is ever-ready to forgive, and is rich in mercy.

He will be rich in mercy towards you.  

そして今日の部分から抜粋。
The Eerdmans Bible Dictionarydefines repentance in its fullest sense as "a complete change of orientation involving a judgment upon the past and a deliberate redirection for the future." It is a change of mind, a turning away from sin and a return to God and His ways. It is a recognition of personal (or communal) offense to God and the inability on our part to save ourselves.

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