Sabbath Prayer: Lent Renewal

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” — Isaiah 40:31

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the promise that strength is not something we must manufacture on our own. You remind us that renewal comes when we place our hope, trust, and confidence in You. As we step into this new week, lift our eyes above the noise, the pressure, and the weight we often carry.

We lift Jen before You today—and thank you for her life and testimony; for her wisdom to understand your word. Surround her with Your healing presence. We pray for Samira for her continued healing. For Alison's daughter, Lindsey's mother, Laurik and Haleen.

Teach us all to wait on You—not with frustration, but with expectation; for all that we need, healing, finances, jobs, etc.

Help us to remember: Lent is not just about giving up—it’s about returning to what gives life.
It’s a season of quiet courage, where we lay down distractions and pick up devotion.
A time to let go of what drains us and receive what restores us.

Renew our strength where we feel tired. Renew our courage where we feel uncertain. Renew our joy where we feel stretched. Renew our faith where we feel tested.

Help us rise above discouragement like eagles rising above the storm. Help us run with endurance in the assignments You’ve given us. Help us walk faithfully in the everyday moments where no one sees but You.

Let this be a week marked by Your presence, Your peace, and Your power at work within us.

May we not rely on our own strength, but on the strength that never runs dry.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Not "why" but "who": Jen Tan

Act: 23:23-24 Application study bible

Life rarely unfolds according to our neatly written plans. Situations arise that defy logic, outcomes occur we never predicted, and doors close we thought were surely meant for us. In such moments, the temptation is strong to demand explanations or to rely on our limited reasoning. Yet God calls us into a deeper, fuller trust—one that does not depend on understanding the “why” but rests in knowing the “Who.”

Jen Tan learns that through her Bible reading, when God reassured her to be patient and to trust in God’s timing and His ways. She says -

"In the quoted chapter, the Roman commander ordered that Paul be sent to Caesarea. Jerusalem was the seat of Jewish government, but Caesarea was the Roman headquarters for the area.

God works in amazing and sometimes amusing ways. He wanted Paul to go to Caesaria and He could use any number of ways to get Paul to there, but he chose to use the Roman army to deliver Paul from his enemies. God’s ways are not our ways! Ours are limited; his is not. Don’t limit God by asking him to respond your way. When God intervenes, anything can happen - even more and even better than you could ever anticipate.

This message comes at just the right time. Although I trust in God’s provision, as a human being, there are times I feel disappointed and wonder why, despite my doctor repeatedly arranging for me to join clinical trials, all doors seem to close one by one. Yet, in my heart, I tell God that I will put my faith in Him and be patient.

As it says in Proverbs 3:5–6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Ephesians 3:20, “I will give you more than you asked for, be patient and trust me”.

Even when the path seems blocked, I am reminded to trust His timing and His plan, believing that He is working behind the scenes for my good.

God is good. Just after all the CNY celebrations came to an end, I started feeling unsettled about what’s next in my cancer treatment. But today, reading this has reminded me to put my trust back in Him".

Lent2026: Becoming What We Believe

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling… for it is God who works in you.” — Philippians 2:12–13

“Salvation is of the Lord.” — Jonah 2:9

Most Christians today live with a quiet contradiction:

We say Jesus saved us, but our daily lives don’t look much different from the world around us.

Paul’s words cut through that fog. He isn’t telling us to earn salvation — Jonah already settled that: “Salvation is of the Lord.”

But Paul is telling us to take our spiritual growth seriously.

Dead seriously.

Not casually. Not “when I have time.” Not “when life slows down.” Not “when I feel spiritual again.”

Right now. Today. In the middle of your real life.

What comes in the way is our struggle with so many issues because we live in a world of: constant distraction., emotional exhaustion, spiritual autopilot, endless noise, shallow faith

quick opinions but slow obedience, And into that world, Paul says:

“Work out your salvation.”

Meaning: Let what God did inside you show up outside you.

Not in theory. Not in church only. Not in your Instagram bio.

But in your reactions, your habits, your choices, your relationships.

A Real‑Life Example is "The Scroll vs. The Spirit"

You’re lying in bed at night. You know you should pray.

You know you should open Scripture. But your thumb automatically goes to Instagram or YouTube.

Twenty minutes later, you’re drained, not refreshed. You didn’t sin — but you didn’t grow either.

That moment is where salvation is either “worked out”… or ignored.

Verse 12: You choose discipline over distraction.

Verse 13: God gives you the desire and strength to choose Him.

You’re not fighting alone. But you are fighting. 

Fear and Trembling is the Part we avoid. But Paul isn’t talking about being scared of God. He’s talking about being awake. “Fear and trembling” means taking our spiritual life as seriously as God does.

We must remember that holiness doesn’t happen accidentally

God shapes us for eternity, not convenience.

How to Actually “Work It Out” in Today’s World

1. Choose Scripture over scrolling (even for 5 minutes).

This is where most modern Christians lose the battle. Our phone is discipling us more than our Bible is.

2. Obey the nudge immediately.

When the Spirit prompts you to apologize, forgive, give, or shut your mouth — do it now, not later. Delayed obedience is disobedience dressed politely.

3. Kill the small sins before they become big ones.

The enemy rarely starts with adultery or addiction. He starts with compromise, excuses, and “it’s not a big deal.”

4. Review your day honestly.

Where did you follow God?

Where did you ignore Him?

Growth begins with honesty.

A Prayer for the Modern Christian is to shake us out of our "spiritual autopilot". 

Preparing the Heart: A Lenten Reflection by Pastor Rajiv

                                     

Based on reflections from Leviticus

“Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” 

Leviticus 19:2

The book of Leviticus is often dismissed as a collection of ancient rituals, sacrifices, and ceremonial instructions. But none of these practices were meaningless. God designed every ritual to teach His people something essential — about His holiness, their identity, and the seriousness of walking with Him.

The rituals were meant to shape the heart, not just the hands.

But over time, Israel became indifferent. What was once sacred became routine. What was meant to draw them close to God became something they performed without thought or reverence. And when the rituals lost meaning, their connection with God weakened. Just as it is today. We may have lost the connection - getting carried away by the ritualism. 

Today, Lent invites us to examine our own hearts in the same way.

We may not offer sacrifices or burn incense, but we do have rhythms of worship — prayer, communion, Scripture reading, gathering with the church. These are not empty motions. They are gifts meant to form us, awaken us, and draw us deeper into the presence of God.

Yet if we are honest, there are moments when worship feels dry. Familiar. Mechanical. We stand, sit, sing, and pray — but our hearts are somewhere else.

When that happens, Scripture calls us not to abandon the rituals, but to rediscover their meaning.

During this season, God invites us to slow down and ask:

Why do I worship?

What is the meaning behind the practices I’ve grown accustomed to?

How can I prepare my heart before I step into God’s presence?

Because the true experience of worship is not accidental.

It is the fruit of preparation — a heart that pauses, reflects, repents, and remembers.

When we rediscover the purpose behind our worship, our rituals come alive again. And when our rituals come alive, our relationship with God is revitalized.

During this Lenten season, we need to ask God to awaken our hearts again. We need to ask Him- 

Where worship has become routine, breathe new life.

Where rituals have become empty, restore their meaning.

Teach us to prepare our heart before we come before Him,

so that our worship may be sincere, joyful, and holy.

Here is a suggested Lenten Practice for the Week:

Before each act of worship — whether prayer, Scripture reading, or attending church — pause for one minute and pray:

“Lord, prepare my heart to meet You.”

You’ll be surprised how this simple preparation transforms the entire experience.

Monday Reset: God's Mercies

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)

Every sunrise is a reminder that yesterday’s failures don’t define today’s possibilities. God’s mercies are not leftovers—they are new, fresh, and tailored for the challenges ahead.

Friends, you don’t have to drag the weight of last week into this week. His mercy is a divine reset, giving you strength to face what comes and grace to begin again. Take time to breathe in this truth: 

if God’s mercy brought you to this day, His faithfulness will carry you through it.

(Based on a KJV devotional)