Daily Blessing Prayers through Lent have been created by Rev. Dr. Cynthia Davis, who has dedicated her life to serving others. She spent 24 years in nursing as a clinician, educator, and leader in trauma, surgical, and cardiovascular care. She later supported students as a college counselor, faculty member, and admissions manager.
Following a call to ministry, Dr. Davis pastored both local United Methodist congregations and served as district superintendent. She retired in 2022 to focus on home care ministry.
Dr. Davis holds a BSN from the University of Mississippi, an MS in Counseling from the University of Memphis, and a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary, where she focused on public health in the Black Church. A sought-after speaker and award recipient, she serves on multiple boards.
She and her husband, Dr. Elvernice “Sonny” Davis, have four children and three grandchildren.
Genesis 2:5-8
Genesis 2:5-8
Before any wild plants appeared on the earth, and before any field crops grew, because the LORD God hadn’t yet sent rain on the earth and there was still no human being to farm the fertile land, though a stream rose from the earth and watered all of the fertile land—the LORD God formed the human from the topsoil of the fertile land and blew life’s breath into his nostrils. The human came to life. The LORD God planted a garden in Eden in the east and put there the human he had formed.
God we thank you that we matter!
That our lives matter.
That we are valued by you!
You are the God of the entire universe.
Yet, yet, yet, you took the time to stop
and scoop up fertile soil and form your creation.
And then you breathed the breath of life,
the breath of God into our nostrils!
We matter, because you said so…
We matter and we are loved
and we are valued
because you took the time to nurture us
and care for us
and walk with us and to be with us.
So, no matter what happens,
O God, we are not afraid
because we walk
with the God of the universe!
Thank you for another day’s journey today.
And we pray in faith and thanksgiving
in the name of your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Luke 4:1-13
Luke 4:1-13
Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. There he was tempted for forty days by the devil. He ate nothing during those days and afterward Jesus was starving. The devil said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread.”
Next the devil led him to a high place and showed him in a single instant all the kingdoms of the world. The devil said, “I will give you this whole domain and the glory of all these kingdoms. It’s been entrusted to me and I can give it to anyone I want. Therefore, if you will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It’s written, You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.”
The devil brought him into Jerusalem and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down from here; for it’s written: He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.” Jesus answered, “It’s been said, Don’t test the Lord your God.”
After finishing every temptation, the devil departed from him until the next opportunity.
O merciful God, lead us not into temptation!
Protect us from the devices of the evil one.
Let the power of your glorious Spirit
always cover us and protect us and keep us!
We trust you
and we pray in faith and thanksgiving,
in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen!