At the beginning of Holy Week, dear Lord, I cry out to you as did your people long ago: ?Hosanna! Save us, Lord! Save me, Lord!? As I say this, I think of how you have already saved me. Through the cross, you have saved me once and for all from sin and death. And by your persistent grace at work in my life, you have saved me from all sorts of messes I have gotten myself into.

Yet I need you to save me still. Where sin has a hold upon me, I ask you to set me free. Where I am bound by ignorance, I ask for the knowledge of the truth. Save me, Lord, from my tendency to want to rule my own life, rather than to live under your gracious sovereignty. Save me from my fears, my hesitations, my doubts.

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed are you, dear Lord, because you have come to me! Amen.