Day 1 Matthew 4 v 1-11 Jesus in the Wilderness

Matthew 4 Jesus in the Wilderness 
(Click the link to get to the passage) 

This is where it all begins for Lent. Jesus is led out to the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. We'll never know what forty days of prayer and fasting feels like in the wilderness of Israel. But we can be sure that it was a vital part of Jesus' ministry here on Earth - or he wouldn't have done it! Luke 4:14 perhaps reveals how vital, suggesting that the pathway to knowing the power of the Spirit in our lives is the path through the wilderness and temptation.

Like Jesus, temptations are something that we face every day. As it says in the Lord's Prayer, spend time today asking Jesus to lead you, not into the cycle of continuing temptation, but rather ask him to deliver you each day, hour and minute from evil. God gives us strength to resist temptation when we call on His name. We need to set our eyes on Jesus and not wander away. Just as Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights so too we can also fast. Ask God to give you the power and strength to fast to the last.

Almighty and everlasting God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:

create and make in us new and contrite hearts

that we, worthily lamenting our sins

and acknowledging our wretchedness,

may receive from you, the God of all mercy,

perfect remission and forgiveness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect for the First Sunday of Lent http://www.churchofengland.org/