Dear Incarnation,
Last week, Eva-Elizabeth Chisholm sent me this prayer written by a L'Arche core member. I loved it and immediately saved the image:
Oh Lord,
Help us to forgive
ourselves and each other.
Help us to say sorry when we need to.
Amen.
No matter how 2023 went for you, I think we probably all long to pray that simple opening line, "Oh Lord, let's have a better year."
But it turns out, over the past week I've really needed all the lines of this simple prayer. I've needed to forgive others. I've needed to forgive myself. I've needed to say sorry. A lot.
Some weeks are like that. Some years are like that. And when they come, I'm grateful for the witness of those like Eric who teach me how to pray and remind me what is true. And I'm freshly grateful, quite simply, for Jesus. His life, death, and resurrection for us really is good news — the best news — and the hope of a better year together with God.
We are just a few weeks away from the season of Lent, a season that helps us forgive ourselves and each other, and to say sorry when we need to. We'll share more about our Lenten plans in the coming weeks, but until then, I encourage you to try praying and practicing Eric's prayer in your own life.
Other news
Incarnation-Restoration West Asia Night. Last month, Incarnation and Restoration sent a team to West Asia to encourage our partners there (my husband Trent, and the Rev. Scott Buckhout from Restoration). We're holding a shared debrief in a couple weeks at the Sungs' house on Sunday, Feb 4, at 6pm. Come hear stories from the trip, learn more about our churches’ engagement in this part of the world, pray together, and share some delicious mediterranean mezze. I'm really excited about this, and I hope you will come!
Border Encounter Trip. We are sending a team to El Paso, TX, from April 24-26, for a Border Encounter with our partners at Abara. If you're interested in learning more, read Russell's blog and reach out to him to ask questions or grab coffee: russell@incarnationanglican.org
Let's have a better year,
Amy
コメント