Daily Devotion

Voice: Hambali

Today is 18th of February and Ash Wednesday. As we begin this season of Lent, let us recommit ourselves to the daily disciplines that sustains and grow our Christian walk, such as prayer, bible reading, fasting, silence, meditation and service.

Psalm Reading

The Psalm reading for this morning is Psalm 38. Reading verses one and two:

O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath! 
For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me.

Prayer
Lord, we know that You discipline those you love. Only do so, in your grace and mercy, that the conviction and awareness of our failings may lead us to repentance and renew our love for You. Amen.

Scripture Reading

The New Testament reading for today is 1 Timothy 6:6-19. Reading verses 6 to 10:

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Reflection

The Discipline of Contentment

A lack of contentment—or simple greed—often leads us astray. In craving for more, we may end up with less. We fall into the errors of our own desires, and in doing so, we pierce ourselves with many pangs. We hurt not only ourselves, but also those we love.

God’s Word reminds us that contentment leads to great gain. When we learn to love and follow Jesus, our posture toward material wealth and the pleasures of life begins to change. We are no longer driven by comparison or restless ambition. Instead, we discover a quieter joy—a sufficiency in Christ.

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The Season of Lent offers us a precious opportunity to practise the discipline of contentment.

It may mean:

• Choosing to fast regularly.
• Taking up a good Christian book and reading it carefully.
• Committing to daily devotions—whether through this Praydos series or another faithful resource.
• Stepping forward to serve.

Lent is not merely about denial; it is also about service. And serving others is itself a form of denial—denial of self-comfort, self-priority, and self-indulgence.

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This cannot be overstated: we need to hear the voice of God daily.

Do not rush through your devotions.
Pause.
Ask the Lord to speak.

Some days you will hear clearly. On other days, it may feel dry or unremarkable. Still, it is the discipline that shapes the heart. Faithfulness in the ordinary is what forms us over time.

These devotions are offered on weekdays, but since Ash Wednesday 2025, a full year’s worth has been written and recorded. Over the weekends, you may revisit earlier reflections and allow them to speak afresh.

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Contentment is not passive resignation.
It is active trust.

And in learning to be content in Christ, we discover that what we thought we were giving up was never truly life-giving to begin with.

May this Lent be a season where we grow not in accumulation—but in satisfaction with God.

Prayer

Father, during this season of Lent, teach us what it means to be a follower of Christ. We want to recognise your presence in our daily lives. As we embark on this daily prayer together, help us all to build up this discipline. In today’s world, we face the lures and temptations of wealth in many forms. Teach us to follow You closely, and in so doing, keep our hearts from the love of wealth. During this season, help us to find ways to be generous and serve You and others, especially those who are needy.

In the name of Christ, Amen.

Collect

We end with the collect for Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, this penitential collect is regularly said in Lent.

Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

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In the full Morning Office, there is a moment for song, or a Canticle.  This one is named Kyrie Pantokrator, also referred to as the Prayer of Manasseh.  It is a Song of Penitence that the Church sings in the season of Lent. 

The words of this Canticle (i.e. lyrics of this song) are set out below.  You may wish to let a sung version of this Prayer of Manasseh accompany you as we close our time of devotion today.

O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, *
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and of all their righteous offspring:
You made the heavens and the earth, *
with all their vast array.
All things quake with fear at your presence; *
they tremble because of your power.
But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; *
it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.

O Lord, you are full of compassion, *
long-suffering, and abounding in mercy.
You hold back your hand; *
you do not punish as we deserve.
In your great goodness, Lord,
you have promised forgiveness to sinners, *
that they may repent of their sin and be saved.
And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, *
and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness.

I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, *
and I know my wickedness only too well.
Therefore I make this prayer to you: *
Forgive me, Lord, forgive me.
Do not let me perish in my sin, *
nor condemn me to the depths of the earth.
For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, *
and in me you will show forth your goodness.

Unworthy as I am, you will save me,
in accordance with your great mercy, *
and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life.
For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, *
and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen.

Source: Book of Common Prayer 2019, Supplementary Canticles, p. 81-82.

Link to the Morning Office for today

About This Daily Devotion
This weekday devotion is drawn from the Morning Office and is part of a project initiated by Revd Canon Terry Wong, with contributions from clergy and members across various parishes. Each entry includes selected readings from the appointed Psalm and another Scripture passage, accompanied by a reflection and prayer. An audio option is also available, often ending with a hymn or song. We encourage you to both read and listen.

Our aim is to help Anglicans engage more deeply with our rich liturgical tradition, while meeting the devotional needs of today’s believers. This project began on Ash Wednesday 2025 and is offered on weekdays only.

For feedback, please write to us at terrywong@anglican.org.sg