A Lenten Prayer

Scripture Reading: Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me,
but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore,I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

In Lent, we walk with Christ toward the cross, remembering that God’s power is not revealed through dominance or perfection, but through love poured out in vulnerability. For those whose bodies or minds are marked by disability, this season can speak with particular depth: we follow a Savior whose own wounded body became the place of redemption. In this reading, we hear how God’s strength is made perfect, not in the absence of weakness, but in its very midst.

Prayer:

Holy and merciful God,
you formed each of us in love,
knitting together our bodies, minds, and spirits
as holy vessels of your grace.

In this season of Lent,
when we walk the way of the cross with your Son,
teach us to see your strength revealed in what the world calls weakness,
your glory shining through every body and every life.

For those who live with disability—
visible or unseen—
grant patience in suffering,
courage in advocacy,
and deep assurance that nothing in us
is a mistake in your sight.

When the world builds barriers,
make your Church a place of welcome.
When exhaustion comes,
be our Sabbath rest.
When pain speaks loudly,
let your love speak louder still.

Help us to offer our whole selves to you this Lent—
not as projects to be fixed,
but as beloved children,
already claimed in baptism
and sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Shape us through repentance,
strengthen us through community,
and draw us ever closer
to the risen life of Christ,
who bore wounds and yet was glorified.

We ask this in the name of Jesus,
who suffers with us, redeems us, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.