Lenten Devotional - #20

Psalm 60 (Amplified Bible)

1 O GOD, You have rejected us and cast us off, broken down [our defenses], and scattered us; You have been angry--O restore us and turn Yourself to us again! 2You have made the land to quake and tremble, You have rent it [open]; repair its breaches, for it shakes and totters. 3You have made Your people suffer hard things; You have given us to drink wine that makes us reel and be dazed. 4[But now] You have set up a banner for those who fear and worshipfully revere You [to which they may flee from the bow], a standard displayed because of the truth. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 5That Your beloved ones may be delivered, save with Your right hand and answer us [or me]. 6God has spoken in His holiness [in His promises]: I will rejoice, I will divide and portion out [the land] Shechem and the Valley of Succoth [west to east]. 7Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is My helmet (the defense of My head); Judah is My scepter and My lawgiver. 8Moab is My washpot [reduced to vilest servitude]; upon Edom I cast My shoe in triumph; over Philistia I raise the shout of victory. 9Who will bring me [David] into the strong city [of Petra]? Who will lead me into Edom? 10Have You not rejected us, O God? And will You not go forth, O God, with our armies? 11 O give us help against the adversary, for vain (ineffectual and to no purpose) is the help or salvation of man.
12Through God we shall do valiantly, for He it is Who shall tread down our adversaries.

Prayer of St. Anselm (1109)
Jesus, like a mother you gather your people to you;
you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness;
through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead,
your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us;
in your love and tenderness remake us.
In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness,
for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.