I paused when I came to that phrase, “an entire story and the foundation of human hope.” Human failure and the hope of Jesus Christ, all in a single mark. We do already know the end of the story, and because of Jesus, we always land on hope, but it is good to stop sometimes, to remember the whole story.

Grace and peace,

Becky

Prayer

Holy God,

in humility and repentance

we bring our failures in caring, helping, and loving,

we bring the pain we have caused other,

we bring the injustice in society of which we are a part,

to the transforming power of your grace.

Grant us the courage to accept the healing you offer

and to turn again toward the sunrise of your reign,

that we may walk with you in the promise of peace

that you have willed for all the children of the earth,

and have made known to us in Christ Jesus. Amen.1

1 https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/prayer/?y=17134&season=lent&d=lent1, lightly modified.