Lent Prayer, Week 5: Psalm 130
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 fifth 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 130. 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.
Hoping does not mean doing nothing. It is not fatalistic resignation. It means going about our assigned tasks, confident that God will provide the meaning and the conclusions… It means a confident, alert expectation that God will do what he said he will do. It is imagination put in the harness of faith. It is a willingness to let God do it his way and in his time.
EUGENE PETERSON
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 words of John Calvin:
Almighty and gracious God,
Since my whole salvation stands in my knowledge of your holy word, pour out your Holy Spirit upon me, that my heart may be freed from the chains of sin, so that I may hear and receive your word, recognizing your gracious will for me. Teach me by scripture to love and serve you with delight, praising and glorifying you in Jesus Christ my Lord.
Amen.
Like last week, we’re going to build on our experience of prayer 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 in the other weeks of our daily practice. 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 130, 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 words of Saint Augustine:
Fill me with your holy love, O Lord, and open the treasures of your wisdom to me. You alone know all that I desire. So perfect what you have begun in me, and answer the prayers you have instilled in me through the stirring of your Holy Spirit. As I seek your face, turn to me and show me your glory. Then my longing will be satisfied, and my peace will be complete.
Amen.
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 peace and gentleness?
How has fasting helped you in cultivating the fruit of peace and gentleness?
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.
