This Lenten Journey
David Brock of Redmond, OR, USA
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross. -Philippians 2:5-8
…[M]uch of what we call “spirituality” today is overly sanitized and sterile… spirituality [has lost] its bite, makes no demands, assumes no risks. -Belden C. Lane, The Solace of Fierce Landscapes, Oxford University Press, 1998, p. 20
This Lenten journey
These forty days
from Ash Wednesday
to Good Friday
Hard climb
on rock-strewn paths
Trackless wander
in windswept deserts
Lonely descent
through fierce landscapes
Forty years of wandering
from Egypt’s enslavement
to Canaan’s freedom.
Forty days of waiting
unfaithful below Mount Sinai
for a word from God
Forty days of being led
by the Spirit
into the wilderness
to be tested.
This Lenten journey
These forty days
from Ash Wednesday
to Good Friday
We are not led
by green pastures
do not lie down
by still waters
are not comforted
by rod or staff
do not yet dwell
in peace and unafraid.
This Lenten journey
These forty days
Days of
pain and confrontation
cries for justice
And then
But only then
And not until then
still waters
green pastures
restoration
Prayer Phrase
I surrender into your love.
Spiritual Practice
Centering Prayer
Set a timer for 20 minutes. (If that feels like too much at first, choose a time that will be comfortable for you as a starting place, committing to expand that time in future prayer.) Allow the rhythm of your breath to draw you deeper and deeper into silence. As you breathe, claim one sacred word (Christ, peace, grace, trust, etc.) emerging in you as an anchor to return you to the intention of your prayer when your thoughts begin to wander. Gently release the thoughts and images that come, making space for presence to the One who is with you here and now. Release, return, “be vulnerable to divine grace” (Doctrine and Covenants 163:10b).
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
