Almighty God and Father, as we prepare for our Lenten sojourn in memory of Your Son, Who prayed and fasted for forty days in the desert out of obedience to the Spirit and out of love for us, grant, we pray, strength, courage and wisdom to be obedient to the same Spirit throughout our desert journey. That giving ourselves to prayer, fasting and acts of charity in imitation of Jesus, we may arrive at the celebration of Easter with hearts and minds eager to celebrate the Resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Who loves and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen