Lent Prayer, Week 4: Psalm 23
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 fourth 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 23. 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.
God has a celebration meal with us not after we finally get out of the dark valley but in the middle of it, in the presence of our enemies. He wants us to rejoice in him in the midst of our troubles. Is our shepherd out of touch with reality? Hardly. Jesus is the only shepherd who knows what it is like to be a sheep. He understands what we are going through and will be with us every step of the way, even through death itself.
TIM KELLER
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, adapted from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer:
Lord,
Take my mind, and think through it. Take my lips, and speak through them. Take my heart, and set it on fire with love for you. What I know not, teach me. What I have not, give me. What I am not, make me. For Jesus Christ’s sake,
Amen.
For this week, we’re going to build on the previous weeks of practice and open up space to listen and respond to the Spirit through the Christian practice of Lectio Divina. This Latin phrase refers to “spiritual reading,” an approach to prayerfully encountering Scripture that communities of believers have participated in for fifteen centuries of faith. Though the phrase might be new to you and its description might inspire hesitation or fear, the process is actually quite simple and not too different from what we have done the last three weeks in daily prayer. It follows four specific movements that are easy to incorporate in your prayer time but will require of you focus and surrender:
Read: To begin, simply read through Psalm 23, but do so with patience and appreciation. This first movement is about encountering the word of God and listening deeply. Note any words or phrases or pictures or ideas that resonate with you as you read.
Reflect: Read the passage again, slowly. This time, pause as you go over what resonated with you during the first reading. Meditate on the truths present here, about God’s character and work and about you and His purpose for you. Turn the words of God over in your heart and mind. Savor them.
Respond: As you reflect on what resonated and process why you think it did, turn these thoughts into prayer, whether in your own words or simply repeating the words of Scripture to God as your prayer.
Rest: Take a few minutes to rest in God’s truth and His love for you, breathing deeply and abiding with Him in the silence and stillness.
To end your time, pray this prayer, adapted from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer:
Almighty God, eternal Father,
I have sat at your feet, learned from your word, and eaten from your table. I give you thanks and praise for accepting me into your family. Send me out with your blessing, to live and to witness for you in the power of your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead.
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 joy?
How has fasting helped you in cultivating the fruit of joy?
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.
