Prayer for March

Father, death gives way to life in the month of March; while snow still encroaches, maybe even rages, it's gone as soon as it comes, anger spent. Though sorrow lasts for a night, joy comes in the morning, and though death has a sting, it's swallowed up in victory because life always, always wins. In the first green shoots it wins, the first hint of warmth in the breeze, the first trickle of water in the downspouts. May we see in these every reminder that the stone was rolled away, that the grave was not robbed--and yet it was. 

Lord, as the first quarter of the year completes, help us move into the prime of the year in earnest, with faith in Your goodness as we face whatever it brings. As the year speeds along, because it will, help us to never just mark time but move outward in your purposes and downward in our rootedness in You. Help us remember that each and every day is both one day more that we have and one day less, to make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. And they are short. From sunup to sundown, they are short. From now until our eternity, they are short. 

In March, our northern-hemisphere, four-season world is bittersweet, snow and sprouts together not unlike wheat and tares, in a way. But in March, the old has gone; the new has come. If we go out early, we can catch it peeking, see the life. Not unlike how the Marys went to the tomb at sunrise and Jesus was already risen. Father, apart from the promise March always brings, even if it postures and blusters before it gives way, bless each of us with the unique month you have for us, and if we come in like a lamb may we go out like a sheep, hearing your voice and following you anywhere and everywhere. Amen.