Oh, Lord, may this Lenten season end with new life.

We are trudging down road with no sign of anything but rejection and despair, as if we will mindlessly drone on and on like robots in a sci-fi feature.  I am clinging to every bit of Holy Spirit word that I can grab from the daily office. What keeps resurfacing is the line from an old hymn which says that I am "learning the patience of unanswered prayer." It is becoming difficult to choke down the cries for relief and deliverance, to try to stay calmly patient. I am constantly reminding myself of the countless others all over the world who are in much more difficult circumstances than I am, but that doesn't seem to assuage the emotion or lessen the rising panic.

And so I pray, Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. May we find new life dawning at the end of this Lenten season (however long this season may last).