A Prayer as we start into Mark's Account of Jesus' Life

Almighty and merciful God, we exult in the reflection
of your might and mercy in your Son, our Lord, Jesus
Christ. We rejoice in the strength of his lion-like power
and in the tenderness of his lamb-like meekness. We
take heart from his incomparable combination of
excellencies. It reassures us that there is none like him,
and that he is not a mere man like others. O grant us,
in our brash indifference, to tremble before the Lion of
Judah and to humble ourselves under his fierce holiness.
And grant us, in our brokenness and fear, to
gather courage from the lion-like Lamb. Oh, how we
need the whole Christ! Open our eyes to see the fullness
of his excellence. Remove the lopsided and distorted
images of your Son that weaken our worship
and lame our obedience. May the power of the Lion
and the love of the Lamb make our faith in Christ
unshakable. So deliver us from small dreams and timid
ventures and halting plans. Embolden us. Strengthen
us. Make us love with fierce and humble love. Let us
share the confidence of the Lion of Judah that gave him
the will to die like a Lamb and rise in everlasting joy.
And in it all, grant that all might see the glory of Christ
and that you might be honored through him. In Jesus’
name we pray, amen.