6“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
8Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard.
9Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.” (Isaiah 58:6-9 NRSV)
In the front room of the IWS administration building is an icon of St. Ephrem the Syrian, a 4th century saint and doctor of the Church who is known especially for his hymn writing. He is also extolled for his commitments to the study of scripture, prayer and repentance. Here is one of St. Ephrem’s prayers, said to be the Lenten prayer “par excellence” and prayed in the Eastern Church every weekday of Lent.
O Lord and Master of my life,
Keep from me the spirit of indifference
And discouragement,
Lust of power, and idle chatter.
Instead, grant to me, Your servant,
The spirit of wholeness of being,
Humble-mindedness, patience, and love.
O Lord and King,
Grant me the grace to be aware of my sins
And not to judge my brother and sister,
For You are blessed,
Now and ever and forever. Amen.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the season of Lent. Lent is forty-seven days set aside for letting God renew us through self-denial and self-examination, casting off those habits and practices which lead to less than favorable results, and taking on those habits and practices that contribute to our spiritual, social and even physical vitality, restoration and renewal.
I want to commend this prayer of St. Ephrem to you for your Lenten devotion. Pray it daily, perhaps even twice each day. Let the words sink into your soul as you allow God to work in you, putting off worldly addictions and taking on divine virtues. May our loving God this Lent help us all to be who we were created to be.
Thanks be to God.
Announcing the Launch of the 2015 Scholarship Campaign
The Lord calls us to observe a holy Lent through assessment, discipline and renewal, using the practices of prayers, fasting and almsgiving. I would like to present to you an important opportunity for almsgiving. Over the past four and a half years the IWS Scholarship Funds have enabled approximately 100 students to attend IWS who wouldn’t be able to otherwise. Thanks to your generosity these high-achieving students are having a substantial impact on the churches, schools and communities where they serve around the globe. But there are new students who have been accepted for the June session who may not be able to attend IWS without the continued generosity of donors like you.
Would you partner with IWS again this year and make a difference in the lives of these students and in the contexts where they serve? All scholarship/grant donations made in this fiscal year (July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015) are included in this campaign. But you must make your gifts by June 30, and you must designate your gifts for scholarships.
Please prayerfully consider being a part of God’s miraculous work in and through a current IWS student’s life! With your help and faithful giving, IWS can continue to be the leader in the ministry of the worship renewal.
How to Give to IWS
Checks
Checks should be made out to IWS, noted “IWS Scholarship Fund” and mailed to IWS, 151 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park, FL 32073.
Credit Cards (Online)
One-time gifts by credit card may be made online through our website, or, if you prefer, you may set up a recurring gift here.
Thank You!
Your support of the ongoing mission of IWS is absolutely critical to the work of real spiritual transformation through worship. Thank you for your partnership with IWS!