Lent Prayer, Week 1: Psalm 32
Throughout Lent, our core team will be practicing consistent rhythms of prayer through a movement that invites participation in personal devotional time, with small groups of prayer partners, and together as one body in our weekly gatherings and prayer meetings. This is the first of six weeks of prayer as we move toward the celebration of Easter. The ”Reflection” component and much of the overall movement has been adapted from Practicing the Way’s four-week Prayer practice, available for free on their site. We invite you to join us as we pray together this week through the words of Psalm 32. If you would like to join one of our prayer partner groups, attend an upcoming core team gathering, or learn more about how we practice our faith in prayer, contact us at info@thegardensa.org today.
Psalm 32 is the prayer of those who, standing at the foot of the Cross and forswearing all righteousness of their own, commit their lives and entrust their destinies entirely to God's forgiving mercy richly and abundantly poured out in the saving, sacrificial blood of His Son.
PATRICK HENRY REARDON
RHYTHM
Plan on setting aside at least ten to fifteen minutes at the start of each day this week. If you already observe such a practice, consider increasing that time for this practice throughout Lent.) Find a space that feels inviting and open, an uncluttered place in your home or outside of it. Put away distractions. Set digital devices to Do Not Disturb. Take a deep breath and rest. Open your time with this prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours:
Father,
May everything I do today begin with your inspiration, continue with your help, and reach perfection under your guidance.
I ask this through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Read Psalm 32 in its entirety, pausing between the sections indicated below to seek God in specific ways:
After reading verses 1-4, pray: Lord, show me where I have kept silent about my sin. Show me the path to the joy of your forgiveness.
After reading verse 5, confess what the Lord reveals or what you know you have hidden.
After reading verses 6-7, lift up your specific troubles to the Lord, whether they come from your internal battle against sin or the burden of external circumstances.
After reading verses 8-11, pray: Lord, show me where I fight against your guidance. Show me what it means to trust your goodness.
Spend a few minutes in silence, listening to God speak to You, through these words of scripture or in your heart. Before you end your time, repeat the opening prayer above from the Liturgy of the Hours.
REFLECTION
Throughout the week, reflect on your experience. Prayer is primarily about listening. God initiates the experience, and we take Him up on the awesome invitation to hear His voice.
Sometimes God speaks in different ways. He might remind you of a Bible verse or passage. He might bring someone or something specific to mind. He might bring a picture to mind. If you are new to the experience of prayer, keep in mind that when the Lord speaks to us it is always consistent with what the Bible reveals about His ways and character, and that often when He speaks, we know it's His voice because of how contrary to our flesh and weakness His words sound.
Write down what comes to mind and heart as you pray this week. What has God told you, through His word and in your heart? What has he reminded you about? What has he challenged in you? Who or what has He drawn you to?
Before you meet with your prayer partners this week, prepare for the meeting by answering the following questions about your time practicing this discipline:
Where did I feel resistance?
Where did I feel delight?
Where did I most experience God's nearness?
In addition to these prompts, come prepared to discuss your Lenten fast experience this week by answering the following questions:
How has fasting this week challenged you in cultivating the fruit of self-control?
How has fasting helped you in cultivating the fruit of self-control?
Finally, with your prayer partners this week, take time to exchange prayer requests and to intercede for one another in lifting these requests to God. Close by encouraging one another as you surrender to Christ for the work of sanctification in the days ahead of your next meeting.
Find more curated resources, links, devotionals, and more to help you as pray this week under the Resources tab above.
