Lent Devotional 2019

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About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of women and men for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.

Become a Student

Certificate Programs

Special Programs

Faculty

In addition to their on-campus duties, our faculty are experts in their fields and are available to preach and teach. Learn more about their topics of research and writing and invite them to present at your congregation or gathering.

Events

The Seminary hosts a wide range of events—many of them free!—on topics of faith including church planting, mission, vocation, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, archaeology, and many more. Visit our calendar often for a listing of upcoming events.

Visit PTS

Interested in the Seminary? Come visit us!

Stay in Touch with PTS

Sign-up to receive the Seminary's newsletters: Seminary News (monthly), Church Planting Initiative (monthly), Continuing Education (monthly), World Mission Initiative (monthly), Metro-Urban Institute (quarterly), and Kelso Museum. Alums, there's also one for you!

Lent Devotional APRIL 14, 2019

Scripture

Psalm 42

1 As a deer longs for flowing streams,
        so my soul longs for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God,
        for the living God.
   When shall I come and behold
        the face of God?
3 My tears have been my food
        day and night,
   while people say to me continually,
        “Where is your God?”

4 These things I remember,
        as I pour out my soul:
   how I went with the throng,
        and led them in procession to the house of God,
   with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving,
        a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
        and why are you disquieted within me?
   Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
        my help 6and my God.

   My soul is cast down within me;
        therefore I remember you
   from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
        from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
        at the thunder of your cataracts;
   all your waves and your billows
        have gone over me.
8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,
        and at night his song is with me,
        a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God, my rock,
        “Why have you forgotten me?
   Why must I walk about mournfully
        because the enemy oppresses me?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my body,
         my adversaries taunt me,
    while they say to me continually,
         “Where is your God?”

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
         and why are you disquieted within me?
    Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
         my help and my God.

Devotional

Ciera (Cici) James / Secretary, PTS Student Association, Pittsburgh, Pa.

As we walk through this season of Lent we are reminded of our need for God. In our penitence we are reminded not only of God’s faithfulness but also of our dependence on God. Yet sometimes we feel alone—sometimes as we face our struggles God seems absent. They ask, “Where is your God?” We cry out in despair from yearning to feel the presence of the Lord again, from knowing our need for our rock. We ask ourselves, “Where is my God?” In our longing, we know God is constant. In our anguish, we know the day will come when we will again rejoice in the Lord. “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God.” Our souls long for healing, peace, and comfort from the Lord—our rock in our distress. Because we know, in truth, that a time is coming when we will again praise the Lord, we can have hope in God even in the midst of our despair.

Prayer

Lord, you are our rock. You are our foundation in times of darkness, and we know we can trust in you. Yet sometimes we cannot feel your presence. Give us strength to praise you and hope in you when we do not have the strength on our own. Meet us in our despair, gracious God, and hear us when we cry out. You are the one our souls long for. We praise and pray to you now in your Holy name. Amen.

Lent Devotional APRIL 14, 2019

Scripture

Psalm 42

1 As a deer longs for flowing streams,
        so my soul longs for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God,
        for the living God.
   When shall I come and behold
        the face of God?
3 My tears have been my food
        day and night,
   while people say to me continually,
        “Where is your God?”

4 These things I remember,
        as I pour out my soul:
   how I went with the throng,
        and led them in procession to the house of God,
   with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving,
        a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
        and why are you disquieted within me?
   Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
        my help 6and my God.

   My soul is cast down within me;
        therefore I remember you
   from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
        from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
        at the thunder of your cataracts;
   all your waves and your billows
        have gone over me.
8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,
        and at night his song is with me,
        a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God, my rock,
        “Why have you forgotten me?
   Why must I walk about mournfully
        because the enemy oppresses me?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my body,
         my adversaries taunt me,
    while they say to me continually,
         “Where is your God?”

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
         and why are you disquieted within me?
    Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
         my help and my God.

Devotional

Ciera (Cici) James / Secretary, PTS Student Association, Pittsburgh, Pa.

As we walk through this season of Lent we are reminded of our need for God. In our penitence we are reminded not only of God’s faithfulness but also of our dependence on God. Yet sometimes we feel alone—sometimes as we face our struggles God seems absent. They ask, “Where is your God?” We cry out in despair from yearning to feel the presence of the Lord again, from knowing our need for our rock. We ask ourselves, “Where is my God?” In our longing, we know God is constant. In our anguish, we know the day will come when we will again rejoice in the Lord. “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God.” Our souls long for healing, peace, and comfort from the Lord—our rock in our distress. Because we know, in truth, that a time is coming when we will again praise the Lord, we can have hope in God even in the midst of our despair.

Prayer

Lord, you are our rock. You are our foundation in times of darkness, and we know we can trust in you. Yet sometimes we cannot feel your presence. Give us strength to praise you and hope in you when we do not have the strength on our own. Meet us in our despair, gracious God, and hear us when we cry out. You are the one our souls long for. We praise and pray to you now in your Holy name. Amen.

About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of women and men for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.

Become a Student

Certificate Programs

Special Programs

Faculty

In addition to their on-campus duties, our faculty are experts in their fields and are available to preach and teach. Learn more about their topics of research and writing and invite them to present at your congregation or gathering.

Events

The Seminary hosts a wide range of events—many of them free!—on topics of faith including church planting, mission, vocation, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, archaeology, and many more. Visit our calendar often for a listing of upcoming events.

Visit PTS

Interested in the Seminary? Come visit us!

Stay in Touch with PTS

Sign-up to receive the Seminary's newsletters: Seminary News (monthly), Church Planting Initiative (monthly), Continuing Education (monthly), World Mission Initiative (monthly), Metro-Urban Institute (quarterly), and Kelso Museum. Alums, there's also one for you!