Lenten Prayer – The Betrayal
Reach out to me once more, Jesus, and restore me, raise me up, and redirect me into a new life of discipleship.
There are those who would betray you, Jesus, and give you up into grief and pain to accomplish selfishly sinful plans. But surely, not I, Lord.
There are those who would sit at your table, Jesus, eat of your bounty, enjoy your gifts, and then sell those gifts into the service of Satan. But surely, not I, Lord.
There are those who would pledge their allegiance as one of your followers, Jesus, attend special meetings of other Christians, show themselves to be faithful churchgoers, but secretly live lives in the company of the wicked engaging in behavior unfit for a Christian. But surely, not I, Lord.
There are those who would come close to you as a friend, Jesus, and offer you the praises and prayers of one who adores you with intimacy, but inwardly their conscience burns with painful regret. It is I, Lord. I have betrayed you, Lord, and I confess my deep, dark sin of hypocrisy and treachery, turning away from you, your love, and your will.
I plead for your mercy, Jesus, and beg for your faithful forgiveness – my only hope. For you have never betrayed me, and promise you will never betray me. You are the only one to whom I can turn, knowing that you will forgive. Reach out to me once more, Jesus, and restore me, raise me up, and redirect me into a new life of discipleship, obedience, and allegiance to you, my Savior.
Send me, I pray, your Spirit that produces the courage and commitment I need to be faithful to you in every hour, to share with others my loyalty to your saving love, and to walk on the paths of discipleship with a determination that will not turn away in time of weakness. Be my strength, Jesus, and my salvation. Amen.