Prayer for Lent

God, I cry to you in the early morning,

help me to pray and to gather my thoughts.

I cannot do it alone.

It is dark inside me, but you do not leave me.

I am timid, but with you is my help.

I am anxious, but with you is peace.

There is bitterness inside me, but with you is patience.

I do not understand your ways, but you know the right way for me.

Lord Jesus Christ,

You were poor and miserable, caught and abandoned like me.

You know all the sorrow of humanity,

You stay with me, when nobody stays with me,

You don’t forget me, and you search for me.

You want me to recognize you and turn to you.

Lord I hear your call and follow.

Help Me.

(Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 1943)