The First Sunday in Lent | Sunday 26th February 2023

Today is Sunday the 26th of February, beginning the first week of Lent.

Salt of the Sound sings, ‘I Need Thee Every Hour’.


I need Thee every hour
Most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford
I need Thee oh I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
Oh bless me now my Saviour
I come to Thee
I need Thee oh I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
Oh bless me now my Saviour
I come to Thee
Oh I need Thee
Oh I need Thee
I come to Thee

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matt 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written,
“One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you”,
and “On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’
Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.” ’

Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

The Church always invites us to pray about the temptations of Jesus on this first Sunday of Lent. In Matthew’s gospel there are three temptations. Perhaps we can use them to recognise the ways in which we are tempted. Do you find yourself tempted in any way today? Perhaps use this space to talk with Jesus about it…

Notice that it is only at the end of the temptations that “suddenly angels came and waited on him.” Why did they not appear any earlier? Have you ever found yourself frustrated with God’s timing on helping you?

Now listen as the passage is read to you again. Where do you think God is in the story? Note how Jesus resists the temptation… And did you notice that the Devil quotes Scripture at Jesus?

Finally, bring together all the thoughts that have come to you during this time of prayer. Try and turn them into a prayer to God.

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.
Amen.