A Prayer to End Lent

Spend a few minutes with The Lord reflecting on the last 40 days

I have created this less than ten minute prayer to act as a guide as you finish your 40 days of Lent. I not only permit you to personalize it but I highly encourage it. Find a space alone, in quiet, and then finish with communion and worship in song.

Lord,

I come before you to close my lent season with a heart of surrender.

In the whirlwind of this Holy Week, I want to feel your presence. In my own chaos please bring your peaceful light to this moment. You shine within me, outside me and all around me. I seek you now Lord.

I set apart this time to reflect on the last 40 days. Allow your light to focus within me now, reveal to me the lessons and wisdom you’ve instilled throughout this lent.

Help me let go and clear space inside for you. This time is a tabernacle I have built for you. Here I make space for my majestic Lord for you are my judge, my lawgiver, my king, my savior and my friend. I rejoice in all you are and all you’ve blessed me with. Thank you for going on this journey with me and constantly revealing your love and mercy to me. Thank you for the last 40 days and thank you for the cross.

I gave up _____ (what was fasted) to practice seeking your presence even in my own busyness and agenda. I learned to rely on your strength and mercies which came new to me each morning. I fasted to live as a reflection of you and your kindness and to see your light and be your light each and every moment.

I sacrificed _____ (what was fasted) which seems so small in comparison to all you've sacrificed for me. I remember that Jesus endured the suffering and pain of the cross for us all. That you limited yourself to human form so that I may live in freedom. I thank you for this wonderful gift. May all of creation embrace this gift. Help me live in a constant state of mind that acknowledges this good news. Give me opportunities to share this with others.

I ask for the hearts of _______ (name) to be opened to you. For with the heart a person believes resulting in righteousness and with the mouth he confesses resulting in salvation. Reveal to them the same goodness and kindness and strength you’ve shown me. May the gospel spread to the ends of the earth and your kingdom continue invading earth. Lord let me be a vessel for this.

God you are able to do far more than we would ever to ask or even dream - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes. I come before you with a heart desiring _____ (prayer request) and I ask you Lord to be my emotional, spiritual and physical protection in this time of waiting. I thank you God in advance for what you have in store even if it’s in the unexpected.

The last 40 days have at times been challenging but I am abundantly grateful for the privilege and honor to fast for you. In every season you are still God and I have a reason to worship and thank you. My life is in constant state of transformation and redemption because of your goodness. I thank you, Great God, for opening my heart and revealing yourself to me. I come here breaking my fast in humility, reverence, hope and above all gratitude.

Thank you for _____ (5-10 things you are grateful for) You stretched out your mighty arm and made the earth and sky and blessed me with this life. Inspire me with your closeness and presence, encouraging me to grow in your ways beyond just this Lent.

Do not let this world delude me, free me from what holds me back. I ask you to help me overcome ______ (a struggle) Do not let me forget what you’ve done for me on the cross, in my life and in the season of Lent. I release the mistakes that have connected me to shame. I ask you to lighten my load of secret debt, guilt, struggle and faults. Erase my failures and mend my heart. I ask for your forgiveness for _______ please cleanse me and renew me. Break the hold this has on my life and free me to walk in your joy. Get rid of the rotten parts of my heart and refine me into righteousness.

Help me forgive others as you have forgiven me. I choose to treat your other children with grace as you have given me grace. Help me extend abundant love in the same ways you have to me. Bless my relationships and help me create holy interactions that usher in your presence. As I close this Lent season I want my heart to overflow with mercy. Every living thing belongs to you. You are the life giving source to this world. Help me love as you first loved us.

Take a moment to reflect and thank God for specific moments during Lent that God was faithful to you.

In these 40 days, you helped me discover and remember truths that shape my life: that you have always loved the world, and you always will.

Encourage me to grow in the ways of your love and faithfulness beyond just this Lent. You have led me away from my insecurities, hurts, and sins. You have reconciled me again by your forgiving love. What was done on Calvary was enough not only for me but for all. Your body was broken and your blood was shed and the wight of the world was entirely on you and then you conquered the grave! As I now begin to celebrate the victory you had on that cross, bring me abundant joy to celebrate your glory! I praise you for you reign over all - even death!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
and his loyal love endures.
2 Let Israel say,
“Yes, his loyal love endures.”
3 Let the family of Aaron say,
“Yes, his loyal love endures.”
4 Let the loyal followers of the Lord say,
“Yes, his loyal love endures.”
5 In my distress I cried out to the Lord.
The Lord answered me and put me in a wide open place.
6 The Lord is on my side; I am not afraid.
What can people do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper.
I look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take shelter in the Lord
than to trust in people.
9 It is better to take shelter in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me.
Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.
11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me.
Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.
12 They surrounded me like bees.
But they disappeared as quickly as a fire among thorns.
Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.
13 “You aggressively attacked me[q] and tried to knock me down,
but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord gives me strength and protects me;
he has become my deliverer.”
15 They celebrate deliverance in the tents of the godly.
The Lord’s right hand conquers.
16 The Lord’s right hand gives victory;
the Lord’s right hand conquers.
17 I will not die, but live,
and I will proclaim what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord severely punished me,
but he did not hand me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the just king’s temple.
I will enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the Lord’s gate—
the godly enter through it.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me,
and have become my deliverer.
22 The stone that the builders discarded
has become the cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord’s work.
We consider it amazing!
24 This is the day the Lord has brought about.
We will be happy and rejoice in it.
25 Please, Lord, deliver!
Please, Lord, grant us success!
26 May the one who comes in the name of the Lord be blessed.
We will pronounce blessings on you in the Lord’s temple.
27 The Lord is God, and he has delivered us.
Tie the offering with ropes
to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks.
You are my God and I will praise you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
and his loyal love endures.” Psalm 118 (NET)

Now if you choose, please partake in a time of communion:

This bread represents the body which was broken for me.

This wine represents the blood which was poured out for me.

The sacrifice Jesus made redeemed me from darkness and sealed an eternal covenant for me. I have been reconciled, redeemed and forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This is the reason for my rejoicing and life dedicated to God.

Take a few moments to worship the Lord in song.