Scripture: Psalm 51:10-11 (NIV) – “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”

Message: David’s prayer recalls the rejection of Saul and pleads for God not to take away his Spirit.

This reminds me of my days teaching in middle school. As we are all aware, teens are often conflicted by friends and relationships that seem to change from one day to the next.  If only these young people would keep all of their friends special in their hearts and minds.  Since the public school system does not allow religion to be brought into the schools, I could not tell my students that the Holy Spirit in their souls would help them to love everyone of their classmates. 

It seems that when we had prayer in the schools, years ago, we had a gentler, more congenial feeling amongst all students.

Hopefully, many of today’s students who have been brought up attending church and have heard about the Trinity will someday understand that prayer and the Holy Spirit can be a part of their lives forever.

As we embrace the Lenten season, it is of ultimate importance for all of us to remember David’s prayer and ask God to keep the Holy Spirit in every one of us, so that we can love our neighbors as ourselves, at all times.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for all of Your blessings and for providing the Holy Spirit within us.  May we, in turn, share Your Holy Spirit with others in our daily lives, especially students with whom we are connected through our family and friends.  So many of the students we know have, or are in danger of, wandering away from Your teachings. Let us be Your agents, providing guidance through Your Holy Spirit.  Amen.