I have a wonderful three volume series of books called “Imaging the Word.” They are lectionary based and have art, music, and poetry for the Sunday readings of the three-year lectionary cycle. On page 168 of volume 1, relating to the Fifth Sunday in Lent, there is a powerful prayer by Ruth C. Duck:
Gracious God, we come before you a people too nearly conformed to this world and its values. We fail to develop our God-given abilities, then envy those who do. Too busy for the care of our bodies or the development of our minds and spirits, we neglect the nurture of our own best selves. We serve, but sometimes with resentment, because we say “Yes” to the most insistent caller more than to you. Expecting too much of ourselves, we resent others who seem not to do their share. We waffle between weakness which allows others to walk all over us, and defensiveness which ignores the rights of others. We spend our money on that which is not bread and turn our eyes away from images of those who have no bread. Yet we ignore our own hunger and thirst for you and your righteousness. Transform us by your Spirit and renew our minds. May we find the joy and peace that come from seeking your will, through Jesus, your faithful servant. Amen.