4th Sunday

Of lent

 (22nd march 2009)

 

 

 

THE 7 STEPS

 

1.         SILENCE

2.        WORSHIP

3.        SCRIPTURE

READING

4.       MEDITATION

5.        BY HEART

6.        INTERCESSION

7.        COVENANT

          PRAYER

 

 

SCRIPTURE READING: John 3:14-21

“…Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.  For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.  No one who believes in him will be condemned; but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already, because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son…that though the light has come into the world men have shown they prefer darkness to light because their deeds were evil.  And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear his actions should be exposed; but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God”. 

 

Meditation: Try to answer as many questions as possible

1.      Why did God send his only Son?  What did the Son have to do?  Did he send the Son to condemn the world? 

2.      How does one get condemned?  How does one not get condemned?  What is the condition in order to have eternal life?     

3.      What would happen to our world without light?  Why would men choose darkness over light?  Which do you fear more - the darkness or the light?  Why?  

 

By Heart: Reflect on this in light of your daily life situation

The ability to choose is a powerful ability.  It is a gift that only man has.  Animals cannot choose.  Plants cannot choose.  Stones cannot choose.  Man can choose.  We cannot take this gift lightly because when we make bad choices in life, there will be consequences.  Jesus made a choice to come into the world, to suffer and die for us out of love.  He now offers eternal life to us.  However, just as God would never force us to love him, he would never force us to believe in him.  Since Adam and Eve, man has lost his ability to choose what is good for him.  He chooses now out of pride, gluttony, anger, lust, envy, sloth, and greed – he chooses to be in the darkness.  Someone once said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. 

 

For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world.  But so that through him the world might be saved.  Because of Jesus, man is now able to choose good and not evil; to choose light and not darkness.  Because of Jesus, salvation is possible.  Because of Jesus, we can stop evil from triumphing. Because of Jesus we can do something to defeat evil in the world.  We begin by walking in the light and walking in the truth with no compromises.  If we are able to do this, then we can work together with Jesus to bring his light and truth to our family, our workplace, our church, our society and ultimately our world.

 

 

Intercessions:

1.      For fathers and mothers, that they may be good examples of love and truth to their children. 

2.      For all of us, that we may experience the unconditional love of God through the forgiveness of our sins.

3.      For young people everywhere, that they might seek the way that leads to the fullness of life and love in Jesus.

4.      For those in darkness, that the light of Christ may shine in their hearts and deliver them.

5.      For peace in the world, that people everywhere may uphold the dignity and value of every human person.

6.      For all of us, that we may choose wisely the things of this world in order to bring about a world of light and love.     

 

Covenant Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, by your suffering, death and resurrection, you give us new life:  a life filled with joy and purpose; a life only you can give it, for you are the source of life.  Guide us on our pilgrimage of life, that following you faithfully as your disciples, we may witness boldly to the world, your love and truth.  Enlighten our minds and hearts that your Word which we read and meditated may take roots in our lives.  Help us not to fall into sin and if we do fall due to our human weakness, bring us back to you for you are the way, the truth and the life. We also pray for all our brothers and sisters, wherever they are, who are committed to this prayer, that their faith may be strengthened, their hope assured and their love fulfilled.  In your name we humbly pray.  Amen