Seeking God's Face is a daily, contemplative devotional — rooted in the ancient traditions of the Divine Office and "lectio divina" — guiding you to renewed communion with God through sacred Scripture and universal prayer.

March 3, 2024

— Lent • Third Sunday in Lent

Invitation Isaiah 6:3

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Quiet

Bible Song Psalm 30:1-5

I will exalt you, Lord,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

Lord my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.

You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.

For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;

weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Bible Reading Exodus 17:1-7

The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink."

Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?"

But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?"

Then Moses cried out to the Lord, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me."

The Lord answered Moses, "Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"

Quiet

Dwelling

Read again, perhaps out loud ... how has God's Word moved you? Ponder and meditate what has connected with your heart or mind ... pray to God what it is that has moved you today ... turn your thoughts to God and quietly enjoy being with him.

Free Prayer

  • for fellowship with the crucified and risen Jesus
  • for spiritual renewal and refreshment

The Lord's Prayer

Prayer CD 5.1

Patient God, even on this journey of faith, where I experience your presence and provision, I grumble, gripe, and turn away from you. Today, may I know the embrace of your grace more than the grip of sin, and may my complaints be turned to praise. In Christ's name, amen.

Blessing Psalm 32:1-2

"Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them."