Lenten Micro-Devotions
Written by Teresa Neudecker
Based on the Litany of Penance, Ash Wednesday Liturgy, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Introduction:
Select a quiet space that offers natural light where you can practice these daily micro-devotions. If you practice at different times of the day, notice how the light is different from the previous day, just as you are different from the previous day.
Settle your body and take in a deep, calming breath.
Begin
Written by Teresa Neudecker
Based on the Litany of Penance, Ash Wednesday Liturgy, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Introduction:
Select a quiet space that offers natural light where you can practice these daily micro-devotions. If you practice at different times of the day, notice how the light is different from the previous day, just as you are different from the previous day.
Settle your body and take in a deep, calming breath.
Begin
Week 1 (March 13-19)
Day 1: “We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven”
Refrain: Lord, today I follow the path of your forgiveness
Lord, let me take a sigh and sit in the light for your forgiveness.
Let me take the plenty of your forgiveness and share it today
Let me feel the peace that comes with sharing that forgiveness
Lord, bless _____ and me in that shared forgiveness
Refrain: Lord, today I follow the path of your forgiveness
Day 2: “We have been deaf to your call to serve”
Refrain: Lord, today light my heart to hear what your ask of me
Lord, today I welcome the light of your love to show me how to act as you ask:
Refrain: Lord, today light my heart to hear what you ask of me
Day 3: “We have grieved your Holy Spirit”
Refrain: Holy Spirit, today I will be your joyous light
Holy Spirit, today I will be and flow your joyous light, I will beam your creative warmth, I will be remade and remake.
All the next moments are unknown. Holy Spirit, help me meet them with your creativity, gladness, humor, care, wisdom, and love.
Refrain: Holy Spirit, today I will be your joyous light
Day 4: “I confess to you, Lord, my past unfaithfulness”
Refrain: Lord, today I look at myself with your true honesty and love
Lord, today I invite your light for clarity as I look at my instances of un-grace, my patterns of inattention, my weakness of neglect, my actions born of stress that spread stress and not love.
Today, in these moments I will breathe in and remember your light and breath out your love.
Refrain: Lord, today I look at myself with your true honesty and love
Day 5: “I confess to you, Lord, my pride”
Refrain: Lord, today I walk your humble path
Lord, today your light shows me how to walk humbly along your path.
Refrain: Lord, today I walk your humble path
Day 6: “I confess to you, Lord, the hypocrisies of my life”
Refrain: Lord, today I will turn toward your light and walk in your ways
Lord, today your light will show me the way.
Today I will look kindly and not judge. Today I will own the event when I have missed the mark and keep the lesson to change my heart. Today I will hear my voice echoing your word and feel my feet walking your model of being.
Refrain: Lord, today I will turn toward your light and walk in your ways
Day 7: “I confess to you, Lord, the impatience of my life”
Refrain: Lord, today help me in peace to breathe and wait in the light of your plan
Lord, today your light will help me remember the arc of your plan, the arc of your love, the hope of your peace. Today in my impatience to help, I will watch and learn the best way to serve. Today I will breathe calm as I move through the day, through the traffic, through the interactions, through the messiness, through the impatience I meet.
Refrain: Lord, today help me in peace to breathe and wait in the light of your plan
Day 1: “We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven”
Refrain: Lord, today I follow the path of your forgiveness
Lord, let me take a sigh and sit in the light for your forgiveness.
Let me take the plenty of your forgiveness and share it today
Let me feel the peace that comes with sharing that forgiveness
Lord, bless _____ and me in that shared forgiveness
Refrain: Lord, today I follow the path of your forgiveness
Day 2: “We have been deaf to your call to serve”
Refrain: Lord, today light my heart to hear what your ask of me
Lord, today I welcome the light of your love to show me how to act as you ask:
- to smile at someone
- to open a door, into a room or a soul
- to make a donation
- to open a space in line
- to make a call
- to discern how to give my gifts wisely and usefully
Refrain: Lord, today light my heart to hear what you ask of me
Day 3: “We have grieved your Holy Spirit”
Refrain: Holy Spirit, today I will be your joyous light
Holy Spirit, today I will be and flow your joyous light, I will beam your creative warmth, I will be remade and remake.
All the next moments are unknown. Holy Spirit, help me meet them with your creativity, gladness, humor, care, wisdom, and love.
Refrain: Holy Spirit, today I will be your joyous light
Day 4: “I confess to you, Lord, my past unfaithfulness”
Refrain: Lord, today I look at myself with your true honesty and love
Lord, today I invite your light for clarity as I look at my instances of un-grace, my patterns of inattention, my weakness of neglect, my actions born of stress that spread stress and not love.
Today, in these moments I will breathe in and remember your light and breath out your love.
Refrain: Lord, today I look at myself with your true honesty and love
Day 5: “I confess to you, Lord, my pride”
Refrain: Lord, today I walk your humble path
Lord, today your light shows me how to walk humbly along your path.
- Today I will step back, giving space to the other.
- Today I will ask for help.
- Today I will ask to help.
- Today I will share a word of encouragement.
- Today I will see your creation and forget myself.
- Today I will do a mitzvah that only you and I know.
Refrain: Lord, today I walk your humble path
Day 6: “I confess to you, Lord, the hypocrisies of my life”
Refrain: Lord, today I will turn toward your light and walk in your ways
Lord, today your light will show me the way.
Today I will look kindly and not judge. Today I will own the event when I have missed the mark and keep the lesson to change my heart. Today I will hear my voice echoing your word and feel my feet walking your model of being.
Refrain: Lord, today I will turn toward your light and walk in your ways
Day 7: “I confess to you, Lord, the impatience of my life”
Refrain: Lord, today help me in peace to breathe and wait in the light of your plan
Lord, today your light will help me remember the arc of your plan, the arc of your love, the hope of your peace. Today in my impatience to help, I will watch and learn the best way to serve. Today I will breathe calm as I move through the day, through the traffic, through the interactions, through the messiness, through the impatience I meet.
Refrain: Lord, today help me in peace to breathe and wait in the light of your plan
Week 2 (March 20-26)
Day 1 “I confess to you, Lord, my indulgent appetites and ways”
Refrain: Lord today my soul will fast from my way and feast in the light of your way
Lord, today give me the strength to pull free from the frivolity of this world. Let me today be free from my whims which yield no help for this world. Let me today be free of my indulgent appetites so I can taste and see the fruit of your ways. Let me be free of my indulgent ways to truly walk your path today.
Refrain: Lord today my soul will fast from my way and feast in the light of your way
Day 2: “I confess to you, Lord, my exploitation of other people”
Refrain: Lord today help me practice looking, seeing, understanding and acting on the behalf of others
Lord, today I ask for your sight in my blindness to the impact of my lifestyle on others. Lord, today I ask for your care in my idleness in not learning the impacts of my choices on others’ lives. Lord, today I ask for your action in my inaction in not doing what I know will make a difference in the quality of another’s life experience. Lord, today I ask for your faith-full strength in my fear to stand with those who need respect and acknowledgment of their suffering.
Refrain: Lord today help me practice looking, seeing, understanding and acting on the behalf of others
Day 3: “I confess to you, Lord, my anger at my frustration”
Refrain: Lord forgive my anger strewn in frustration
Lord, today keep me from anger at those I perceive to be in my way. Lord, today keep me from anger at those close to me who I feel have left me alone. Lord, today keep me from not trusting the arc of your plan when I am lost in frustration in waiting for its fulfillment. Lord, today help me to know my part is enough
Refrain: Lord forgive my anger strewn in frustration
Day 4: “I confess to you, Lord, my envy of those more fortunate”
Refrain: Lord, today help me to see the beauty in my life
Lord, today help me to know that the source of beauty in my life isn’t born from my acquisitions. Lord, today help me to let go of useless competition and comparison. Lord, today help me remember all the sources of contentment and fullness that make my soul smile in my day.
Refrain: Lord, today help me to see the beauty in my life
Day 5: “I confess to you, Lord, my intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts”
Refrain: Lord, today help me focus my heart on your eternal way
Lord, today focus me away from acquisitiveness to inquisitiveness, from the material to the spiritual. Lord, today focus my wants serve the comfort of others. Lord, today focus my mind on the wonder of a tree, the deep blue of the skies, the miracle of a bird in flight.
Refrain: Lord, today help me focus my heart on your eternal way
Day 6: “I confess to you, Lord, my dishonesty in my daily life and work”
Refrain: Lord forgive my transgressions as I go in my day
Lord, help me today to add care and gentility with my transparency as I interact with others. Lord, help me today to tell a truth to someone that will make their day. Lord, help me today to see the truth of the talents and burdens of others. Lord, help me today to acknowledge my talents as gifts to be shared in good faith.
Refrain: Lord forgive my transgressions as I go in my day
Day 7: “I confess to you, Lord, I have not acted with the light of your love & compassion"
Refrain: Lord, help me today to use you love’s light to direct my steps
Lord, help me today to indulge your ways, not mine. Lord, help me today to do an act or prayer for another’s comfort. Lord, help me today to breathe out my anger. Lord, help me today to embrace my blessings. Lord, help me today to lose myself in a job well-done per your light.
Refrain: Lord, help me today to use you love’s light to direct my steps
Day 1 “I confess to you, Lord, my indulgent appetites and ways”
Refrain: Lord today my soul will fast from my way and feast in the light of your way
Lord, today give me the strength to pull free from the frivolity of this world. Let me today be free from my whims which yield no help for this world. Let me today be free of my indulgent appetites so I can taste and see the fruit of your ways. Let me be free of my indulgent ways to truly walk your path today.
Refrain: Lord today my soul will fast from my way and feast in the light of your way
Day 2: “I confess to you, Lord, my exploitation of other people”
Refrain: Lord today help me practice looking, seeing, understanding and acting on the behalf of others
Lord, today I ask for your sight in my blindness to the impact of my lifestyle on others. Lord, today I ask for your care in my idleness in not learning the impacts of my choices on others’ lives. Lord, today I ask for your action in my inaction in not doing what I know will make a difference in the quality of another’s life experience. Lord, today I ask for your faith-full strength in my fear to stand with those who need respect and acknowledgment of their suffering.
Refrain: Lord today help me practice looking, seeing, understanding and acting on the behalf of others
Day 3: “I confess to you, Lord, my anger at my frustration”
Refrain: Lord forgive my anger strewn in frustration
Lord, today keep me from anger at those I perceive to be in my way. Lord, today keep me from anger at those close to me who I feel have left me alone. Lord, today keep me from not trusting the arc of your plan when I am lost in frustration in waiting for its fulfillment. Lord, today help me to know my part is enough
Refrain: Lord forgive my anger strewn in frustration
Day 4: “I confess to you, Lord, my envy of those more fortunate”
Refrain: Lord, today help me to see the beauty in my life
Lord, today help me to know that the source of beauty in my life isn’t born from my acquisitions. Lord, today help me to let go of useless competition and comparison. Lord, today help me remember all the sources of contentment and fullness that make my soul smile in my day.
Refrain: Lord, today help me to see the beauty in my life
Day 5: “I confess to you, Lord, my intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts”
Refrain: Lord, today help me focus my heart on your eternal way
Lord, today focus me away from acquisitiveness to inquisitiveness, from the material to the spiritual. Lord, today focus my wants serve the comfort of others. Lord, today focus my mind on the wonder of a tree, the deep blue of the skies, the miracle of a bird in flight.
Refrain: Lord, today help me focus my heart on your eternal way
Day 6: “I confess to you, Lord, my dishonesty in my daily life and work”
Refrain: Lord forgive my transgressions as I go in my day
Lord, help me today to add care and gentility with my transparency as I interact with others. Lord, help me today to tell a truth to someone that will make their day. Lord, help me today to see the truth of the talents and burdens of others. Lord, help me today to acknowledge my talents as gifts to be shared in good faith.
Refrain: Lord forgive my transgressions as I go in my day
Day 7: “I confess to you, Lord, I have not acted with the light of your love & compassion"
Refrain: Lord, help me today to use you love’s light to direct my steps
Lord, help me today to indulge your ways, not mine. Lord, help me today to do an act or prayer for another’s comfort. Lord, help me today to breathe out my anger. Lord, help me today to embrace my blessings. Lord, help me today to lose myself in a job well-done per your light.
Refrain: Lord, help me today to use you love’s light to direct my steps
Week 3 (March 27-April 2)
Day 1: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 19)
The word of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul
Lord, today I will be strong in the light of your word
The word of the Lord is clear, it gives light to the eyes
Lord, today my eyes see the path of your way
By the Word is my heart enlightened
Lord, today my heart echoes your light
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Day 2: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 25)
May my eyes and heart look to the light of the Lord who plucks my feet from the net of darkness
Lord, today I will turn from a bad habit, seek out a good deed
Gracious and upright is the Lord, God teaches sinners the way
Lord today I will pray, see the light of your way
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Day 3: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 28)
Lord, forgive my sin and let me learn the paths you choose
Lord, today I will turn to you in prayer to see your need for me in this world
Lord, hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you
Lord, today I will pray with absolute trust in your love
Let me feel your forgiveness, let my heart dance for joy in my song of your praise
Lord, today I am true in my repentance and prayers of forgiveness
Lord, today I am true in the joy of my praise
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Day 4: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 28)
Blessed is the Lord who hears the voice of my prayer
Lord, today I will listen to another as you listen to me
The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in God and I have been helped
Lord, today I will know the certainty of your care and share a moment of that peace
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Day 5: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 30)
Sing to the Lord, your servants of God, for wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye and God’s favor for a lifetime.
Know that weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning
Lord, today help me to put my wrath or frustration away and share love with another
Lord, today I will remember the rewards of patient prayer: to sit watch through the night and meet you in the light of the dawn
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Day 6: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 119:25-32)
My soul cleaves to dust, raise me and give me life according to your word
Lord, today I will remember to thank you for your gift of forgiveness, for raising me in the light of your word
I will run in the way of your word; I will sing your love, for you have set my heart at liberty
Holy Spirit, today I will share all the wild expanse of your creative love and your liberating freedom to be all that we are created to be
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Day 7: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 42)
As the deer longs for the water-brooks, so longs my soul for you, O God
Lord, today I will confess and knowing my forgiven-ness, my soul will return your peace as the deer goes to water
I will put my trust in God and give thanks; I will give praises to the God of my life for God’s loving kindness in the daytime and gracious care in the nighttime
Lord, today I begin to live in prayers as constant as your care, day into night
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Day 1: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 19)
The word of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul
Lord, today I will be strong in the light of your word
The word of the Lord is clear, it gives light to the eyes
Lord, today my eyes see the path of your way
By the Word is my heart enlightened
Lord, today my heart echoes your light
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Day 2: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 25)
May my eyes and heart look to the light of the Lord who plucks my feet from the net of darkness
Lord, today I will turn from a bad habit, seek out a good deed
Gracious and upright is the Lord, God teaches sinners the way
Lord today I will pray, see the light of your way
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Day 3: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 28)
Lord, forgive my sin and let me learn the paths you choose
Lord, today I will turn to you in prayer to see your need for me in this world
Lord, hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you
Lord, today I will pray with absolute trust in your love
Let me feel your forgiveness, let my heart dance for joy in my song of your praise
Lord, today I am true in my repentance and prayers of forgiveness
Lord, today I am true in the joy of my praise
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Day 4: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 28)
Blessed is the Lord who hears the voice of my prayer
Lord, today I will listen to another as you listen to me
The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in God and I have been helped
Lord, today I will know the certainty of your care and share a moment of that peace
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Day 5: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 30)
Sing to the Lord, your servants of God, for wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye and God’s favor for a lifetime.
Know that weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning
Lord, today help me to put my wrath or frustration away and share love with another
Lord, today I will remember the rewards of patient prayer: to sit watch through the night and meet you in the light of the dawn
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Day 6: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 119:25-32)
My soul cleaves to dust, raise me and give me life according to your word
Lord, today I will remember to thank you for your gift of forgiveness, for raising me in the light of your word
I will run in the way of your word; I will sing your love, for you have set my heart at liberty
Holy Spirit, today I will share all the wild expanse of your creative love and your liberating freedom to be all that we are created to be
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Day 7: “This week I confess to you, Lord, my negligence in prayer and worship”
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
(inspired by Psalm 42)
As the deer longs for the water-brooks, so longs my soul for you, O God
Lord, today I will confess and knowing my forgiven-ness, my soul will return your peace as the deer goes to water
I will put my trust in God and give thanks; I will give praises to the God of my life for God’s loving kindness in the daytime and gracious care in the nighttime
Lord, today I begin to live in prayers as constant as your care, day into night
Refrain: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you
Week 4 (April 3-April 9)
coming soon
coming soon
