Let us pray with today’s Gospel Reading (Mark 8:14-21) as we prepare to begin Lent tomorrow:

Lord Jesus, How often we, like the disciples, misunderstand You. We worry about having “no bread,” while You invite us to remember the abundance of Your grace. You multiplied the loaves, yet we remain anxious, distracted, and slow to trust.

As Lent approaches, Lord, open our eyes to the “leaven” in our hearts, the hidden pride, hypocrisy, worldliness, and unbelief that quietly shape our thoughts and actions. Keep us from the leaven of self-righteousness that seeks appearances rather than conversion. Keep us from the leaven of compromise that trusts in power and influence more than in God.

Lord, pierce our spiritual blindness and unstop our ears that we may hear Your Word. Soften our hardened hearts that we may remember Your faithfulness, the bread multiplied, the crowds satisfied, the mercy never exhausted.

In this coming Lenten journey, teach us, Lord, to hunger not for earthly security but for the Bread of Life. Strip away our forgetfulness. Cleanse us of corrupting influences. Fill us instead with the leaven of Your Kingdom, faith, humility, sincerity, and trust.Bless our preparation, Lord and may this Lent not be routine or superficial, but a true awakening of understanding. And when we are tempted to fear or doubt, remind us of all You have already done. Amen