And lead me NOT into temptation...

So, as I have shared, I have given up complaining for Lent. However, I am not necessarily succeeding in this very well.  At the church, we have been dealing with a company [name not to be mentioned] to get our church directory made.  I will not go into the long, long, long, story of the frustrations we have faced working with this company, but I will say, in dealing with them I have not only been tested with my fasting from complaining, but I have been tested in my being an example of Christ as well.  (I do, however, think Jesus would have turned over this company's proverbial tables.)

I have found a Lenten Prayer, and if you look it up on line you will find several different versions, but this is a modified version of one a colleague of mine used at her church:


A Lenten Prayer
Fast from worry; feast on relying on God.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from hostility; feast on tenderness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ within them.
Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on optimism.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that encourage.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on trust.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Gentle God, during this season of fasting and feasting, gift us with your presence
so we can be a gift to others in carrying out your work. Amen.

As you can see, we fast from complaining, and feast on appreciation.  So in the midst of all this frustration with this company, I have found that there is one person in that company who was truly gracious, apologetic for any inconveniences, and worked to make sure we got the problems fixed.  I truly do appreciate him.

May we continue to fast from those things which tear down and feast on those things which are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent and praise-worthy (Philippians 4:8) as we continue our Lenten journey together.