Lent Prayer, Week 3: Psalm 95
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 third 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 95. 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.
The past is warning to the present. The fact that the people who sing this psalm are in the land physically does not mean they have entered the rest of God theologically and existentially. If they do not heed his voice today, they are still wandering in the wilderness, erring in their hearts and not knowing the ways of the Lord.
JAMES MAYS
RHYTHM
Plan on setting aside at least twelve to fifteen minutes to start each new day this week. Find a space that feels inviting and open and uncluttered, inside or outside. Put away distractions as best you can. Building on the experience of the previous two weeks, consider incorporating aids to your practice, like lighting a scented candle or taking a new body posture as you pray. Consider what has hindered prayer the last couple weeks and make necessary changes to prepare. Finally, as all settles, take a deep breath and rest. Open your time with this prayer by Ulrich Zwingli:
Living God,
By the power of your Spirit, help me so to hear your holy word that I may truly understand; that, understanding, I may believe; and believing, I may follow in faithfulness and obedience, seeking your honor and glory in all that I do; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Read Psalm 95, pausing between the sections indicated below to seek God in specific ways as prompted:
After reading verses 1-5, bring to God the joy of your gratitude, naming three specific things to be thankful for that He has provided and given.
After reading verses 6-7a, pray: Lord, I am humbled to spend this time with You today. Thank You for Your grace to invite me here and to begin this conversation.
After reading verses 7b-11, consider the experience of the Israelites referenced in this psalm, who tested God and had to wander without seeing the Promised Land. Then as now, obedience is the path God opens to rest. Take time to confess today the areas of your life where trust is weakest, where you might be prone to wander from God. Pray that He might soften your heart to wait on Him.
Spend a few minutes in silence, listening to God speak to You, through these words of scripture or in your heart. To end your time, pray this prayer for a new day written by Benedict of Nursia:
O Gracious and Holy God,
Give me diligence to seek you, wisdom to perceive you, and patience to wait for you. Grant me, O God, a mind to meditate on you; eyes to behold you; ears to listen for your word; a heart to love you; and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Lastly, if the Lord put names on your heart ahead of or during this prayer time, intercede for them throughout the week ahead. Consider praying for them in unique ways and times, perhaps during your lunch break or after parking your car, or return to these names before going to sleep each night this week.
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 patience?
How has fasting helped you in cultivating the fruit of patience?
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.
