5th Sunday in Lent | Sunday 3 April 2022

Today is Sunday the 3rd of April, the fifth Sunday in Lent.
One Hope Project sings, ‘All Things New’. As you begin to pray today, become aware of the new things God is doing in your life… where is God bringing things to life?
You make all things new
All things new


Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 43:16-21
Thus says the Lord,
who makes a way in the sea,
a path in the mighty waters,
who brings out chariot and horse,
army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise,
they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
Do not remember the former things,
or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
The wild animals will honour me,
the jackals and the ostriches;
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself
so that they might declare my praise.

As we enter into prayer with this passage, take a moment to notice its beauty and imagery… of the testimony to the word of God…
We are reminded that the Lord who speaks, is the one who “makes a way in the sea, a path in might waters”. In what way might this help you to hear the words of the passage with confidence?
“Do not remember the former things”…”I am about to do a new thing”… God is a God who continually brings forth new life and resurrection; who restores what was lost and creates something new. How do you see signs of this in your life at the moment? Or in the world?

Listen to the passage again, noticing what stays with you… what moves you towards a lightness of heart?
"I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” As we close this time of prayer, picture these rivers in the desert… hold on and cherish them as you talk to God as one friend speaks to another…


You have given all to me
To you, Lord I return it
Everything is yours
Do with it what you will
Give me only your love and your grace
That is enough for me.