Shirlee Abbott

Humble Yourself and Repent

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
… if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Repentance starts when I tell God He’s right and I’m wrong.

Good morning, Lord. Repentance begins with humility … I was mistaken, I didn’t think, I was wrong. I’d like to think I’m always right — truth is, only You are always right. Be merciful to me, O God, for I have sinned.

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Repent for Your Sins

Posted on March 3, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Jesus said,

Luke 13:3 (NIV)
But unless you repent,
you too will all perish.

A bit of context: the folks around Jesus were pointing their fingers at someone else’s sin.

Lesson learned: Pointing out the sins of others will never make me look better in God’s eyes.

Good morning, Lord. I have to be honest with You, because You already know the truth. No excuses, no blaming others, no exaggeration, no twisting of the details will convince You that I’m innocent when I am guilty. My hope rests on Your grace, not my clever explanation.

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Lent – A Season of Repentance

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

“Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”
Charlotte Elliott, 1836

Repentance opens the door to eternal life. Confession sets me free from guilt and shame, thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for accepting me just as I am … sarcastic, envious, foolish and yes, sometimes downright evil. If I had to earn my way to heaven, I’d be in trouble. Your mercy and grace are greater than my sin and shame, and I am forever grateful.

Posted in Lent, Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Just As I Am, mercy and grace, pardon, repentance | 2 Comments

Reflect Our Lord and Savior

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

1 Corinthians 13:12 (ERV)
… Now we see God as if we are looking at a reflection in a mirror. But then, in the future, we will see him right before our eyes. Now I know only a part, but at that time I will know fully, as God has known me.

I imagine myself peering into my bathroom mirror, seeing my image up close and Jesus behind me. One day, the mirror will be gone and we will stand face to face.

Good morning, Lord. I want to live so that when people look at me, they see a reflection of You. Show me how to make it happen — for Your glory and not my own.

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Reflect on God’s Power and Grace

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

God is so great, and I am so small.

Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV)
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?

Reflect — with gratitude — on God’s attention to our day-to-day lives.

Good morning, Lord. You rule over the universe, and yet You have time for my trivial concerns. You are worthy of my devotion; I am unworthy of Your mercy and grace. Thank You.

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Reflect on Your Ways

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Haggai 1:5 (EXB)
This is what the Lord All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; of hosts] says: “Think about what you have done [Consider your ways].”

These Old Testament words came as God’s people were planning to rebuild the temple. But it’s good advice for us today. Let’s consider our ways, remembering that we’re talking with the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Lent is a time for honest reflection, not lame excuses.

Good morning, Lord. It’s time for You and me to have a serious discussion about how I spend my time. You look for more than good intentions. Show me what needs to change.

Posted in Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged Haggai 1:5, Lent, reflection | 4 Comments

Lent – A Season of Reflection

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought by day and by night;
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.”
An Old Irish Hymn, translated by Mary Byrne, 1905
Written in verse by Eleanor Hull, 1912

Good morning, Lord. More of You, less of me, day by day — this is my Lenten prayer.

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In Remembrance

Posted on February 20, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

I so easily forget. I need reminders.

Lent helps me remember Christ’s sacrifice on my behalf. As does the communion service.

Luke 22:19 (NIV)
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Let’s do Lent in remembrance of Christ.

Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I need a nudge to seek Your help and not try to do it all on my own. I need reminders of Your love and power, Your holiness and perfection, Your grace and mercy. Lent is one of those reminders. May this be a season of reflection, meditation and dedication — all for Your goodness and glory, amen.

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Time to Fast

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Jesus said when, not if.

Matthew 6:16 (NIV)
When you fast …

Is this your time to fast?

Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I give up something for Lent, sometimes I opt to do something extra. My goal is spiritual growth and a closer relationship with You. What would You have me do or not do over the next six weeks? Your will, not mine, be done.

Posted in Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged fast, Lent, Matthew 6:16, Your will be done | 2 Comments

It’s Ash Wednesday, Lent Begins

Posted on February 18, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Lent caught me by surprise this year.

Lent is the 40-day period of time between Ash Wednesday and Holy Thursday (the day before Good Friday, right before Easter Sunday). The 40 days don’t include Sundays — so technically, it’s 46 days (the 40 days symbolize the 40 days Jesus fasted in the wilderness). Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the first day of spring, so it’s not the same date every year.

The timeframe is confusing. The purpose is not.

“Lent is a time of grace … a time to come home to God.”
St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941)

Good morning, Lord. It’s Lent. Let me reflect on Your Word, repent for my shortcomings and rest in Your presence. Restore my soul, O God, as I soak in Your grace.

Posted in Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged Easter, Good Friday, Holy Thursday, Lent, St. Maximilian Kolbe | Comments Off