Day Thirty-six: Find ways to recognize people as children of God. Make eye contact with the grocery store clerk. Smile at strangers.
Day Thirty-seven: Try fasting from a different kind of hunger, consumerism. Choose one day in Lent to prayerfully explore consumer spending habits and how often we bu more than we need. Refrain from making purchases on that day.
Day Thirty-eight: Death is inevitably part of the Lenten journey as we tell the story of Jesus' death on the cross and find assurance of our new life we have because of the resurrection. Take this time to remember those who have new life with God and be strengthened by the witness of their lives. Take out photos of family and friends who have died. Talk about these people with your family or share their stories with a friend.
Day Thirty-nine: Learn and practice the traditional practice of praying the Stations of the Cross. Ask a friend who attends a Catholic church if you might attend a Lenten program with them that prays the stations, or visit: http://www.markdroberts.com/htmfiles/resources/stationsofthecross.htm
Day Forty: Practice resurrection. We are the people of resurrection and hope, called to live passionately and compassionately with others, to defy death, to forgive, and to bring others back into the community, to do something that is life-giving, that fights death and needless suffering.
These are the last 5 days of Lent. I hope that you have found some of these practices we've explored in Lent meaningful. Peace & Joy, Nancy.
Showing posts with label Lent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lent. Show all posts
Thursday, 22 March 2012
40 Practices for Lent - Part 7
Day Thirty-one: Follow your breath as it leads to God. Simply observe your breath. Inhale and exhale slowly, recognizing that breathing is a life sustaining and God-infused action.
Day Thirty-two: Fast. The purpose of fasting is to support our prayers and heighten our awareness of a most basic human need. Paying attention to our hunger can help us connect to our thirst for God and the emptiness we feel. Fast one day or one meal to join our physical needs to spiritual ones.
Day Thirty-three: Spring cleaning can be more than a way to get rid of "stuff". Along with asking yourself "what don't I want" also practice asking "what don't I need?" Invite God into these question and explore together a journey of letting go of the excess in your life.
Day Thirty-four: Light a candle. Pray as it is lit "God thank you for the gift of your Light in the midst of all darkness. Let his candle be a symbol of our faith in your presence among us."
Day Thirty-five: We follow Jesus and journey with others whose heritage has left a path before us. Reflect on your faith journey and remember the names of those in whose footsteps you are following and who is on the road with you now. Find a way to share with them your gratitude for journeying with you.
Day Thirty-two: Fast. The purpose of fasting is to support our prayers and heighten our awareness of a most basic human need. Paying attention to our hunger can help us connect to our thirst for God and the emptiness we feel. Fast one day or one meal to join our physical needs to spiritual ones.
Day Thirty-three: Spring cleaning can be more than a way to get rid of "stuff". Along with asking yourself "what don't I want" also practice asking "what don't I need?" Invite God into these question and explore together a journey of letting go of the excess in your life.
Day Thirty-four: Light a candle. Pray as it is lit "God thank you for the gift of your Light in the midst of all darkness. Let his candle be a symbol of our faith in your presence among us."
Day Thirty-five: We follow Jesus and journey with others whose heritage has left a path before us. Reflect on your faith journey and remember the names of those in whose footsteps you are following and who is on the road with you now. Find a way to share with them your gratitude for journeying with you.
Monday, 12 March 2012
40 Practices for Lent - Part 6
Day Twenty-six: Think of persons you haven't heard from you in a while. Give them a call, or send them a card. If there is something that needs mending in your relationship, take the first step.
Day Twenty-seven: Find ways to live more simply, shring God's good gifts with others by protecting the environment and supporting local farmers. Read stickers and labels to see where your food is grown. Make efforts to buy food grown within our community or province.
Day Twenty-eight: Learn the names of individuals contributing to the leadership of the local community. Offer prayers for them. Express your appreciation for their service.
Day Twenty-nine: Make a prayer wall at home. Put up a large peice of paper and encourage famiy members to write or draw pictures of the prayers of joy and concern they have for that day. Pray together for each person and for the prayer tey have expressed.
Day Thirty: Slow down and observe the Sabbath. Whether Sabbath time is one hour in a day or a 24 hour period, take time to intentionally stop "working" and spend time in worship, prayer, and family time.
Day Twenty-seven: Find ways to live more simply, shring God's good gifts with others by protecting the environment and supporting local farmers. Read stickers and labels to see where your food is grown. Make efforts to buy food grown within our community or province.
Day Twenty-eight: Learn the names of individuals contributing to the leadership of the local community. Offer prayers for them. Express your appreciation for their service.
Day Twenty-nine: Make a prayer wall at home. Put up a large peice of paper and encourage famiy members to write or draw pictures of the prayers of joy and concern they have for that day. Pray together for each person and for the prayer tey have expressed.
Day Thirty: Slow down and observe the Sabbath. Whether Sabbath time is one hour in a day or a 24 hour period, take time to intentionally stop "working" and spend time in worship, prayer, and family time.
40 Practices for Lent - Part 5
Day Twenty-one: Find a psalm or hymn text that is meaningful to you. Write the words out and study them. Choose a different portion of the text for each week of Lent and memorize it.
Day Twenty-two: If you consider yourself a spiritual "dropout" reach out to someone you trust and talk about your feelings.
Day Twenty-three: Practice random acts of anonymous kindness.
Day Twenty-four: Pray the scriptures by using the ancient art of Lectio Divina. For more information: http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html
Day Twenty-five: Find the oldest person you know and ask them to teach you something.
Day Twenty-two: If you consider yourself a spiritual "dropout" reach out to someone you trust and talk about your feelings.
Day Twenty-three: Practice random acts of anonymous kindness.
Day Twenty-four: Pray the scriptures by using the ancient art of Lectio Divina. For more information: http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html
Day Twenty-five: Find the oldest person you know and ask them to teach you something.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
40 Practices for Lent -- Part 4
Day Sixteen: Remember your baptism. Place a bowl of water in a visible place in your house. Touch the water and remember that we are linked to Christ and the Christian community through the waters of baptism.
Day Seventeen: Write a letter to God.
Day Eighteen: When attending worship or other gatherings of your faith community pay attention to how the music, liturgy, conversation, and fellowship time affect you. Be open to how God speaks to you through community.
Day Nineteen: Prayer on the move. When in the car be intentional about turning the radio off and not talking on the cell phone. When you are alone in the car, use that quiet time to be in prayer.
Day Twenty: Jesus didn't "convert" Christians, he formed disciples and sent them out to continue the formation process. Reflect on ways you have been shaped by the teachings of Jesus and shared them with others.
Day Seventeen: Write a letter to God.
Day Eighteen: When attending worship or other gatherings of your faith community pay attention to how the music, liturgy, conversation, and fellowship time affect you. Be open to how God speaks to you through community.
Day Nineteen: Prayer on the move. When in the car be intentional about turning the radio off and not talking on the cell phone. When you are alone in the car, use that quiet time to be in prayer.
Day Twenty: Jesus didn't "convert" Christians, he formed disciples and sent them out to continue the formation process. Reflect on ways you have been shaped by the teachings of Jesus and shared them with others.
Sunday, 4 March 2012
40 Practices for Lent - Part 3
Day Eleven: Circle of gratitude. Before meals invite everyone around the table to share one thing they are grateful for that day.
Day Twelve: Call or visit someone who is lonely. This might include an elderly shut in, stay at home parent, someone who has recently lost their job or is grieving.
Day Thirteen: At the end of the day ask your "Where did I see God today?" Make a list.
Day Fourteen: Caring for others as ourselves take acts of truth-telling and confrontation. Abstain from laughing at jokes or comments that are hurtful to others. Share with that person your commitment to caring for God's children.
Day Fifteen: Keep a prayer journal (can be on the computer or in a paper notebook). Include prayers of joy, concern, and questions. Write down the prayers offered to God for yourself and for others.
Day Twelve: Call or visit someone who is lonely. This might include an elderly shut in, stay at home parent, someone who has recently lost their job or is grieving.
Day Thirteen: At the end of the day ask your "Where did I see God today?" Make a list.
Day Fourteen: Caring for others as ourselves take acts of truth-telling and confrontation. Abstain from laughing at jokes or comments that are hurtful to others. Share with that person your commitment to caring for God's children.
Day Fifteen: Keep a prayer journal (can be on the computer or in a paper notebook). Include prayers of joy, concern, and questions. Write down the prayers offered to God for yourself and for others.
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Practices for Lent - Part 2
Day Six: Start seedlings. Plant seeds in small jars and place them in the light. May they be physical reminders that we partner with God in creation.
Day Seven: Open your awareness to those things that are destructive in the world - sources of injustice and oppression that result in destructive behaviours that hurt individuals, communities, and creation.
Day Eight: Practice the Daily Examen. One of the long-established spiritual practices in Christianity, championed by Ignatius of Loyola (a Spanish reformer and contemporary of John Calvin, who soudht to reform the Roman church from within), is a discipline of self-examination and repentance Ignatius called exmen. For more information: http://norprov.org/spirituality/ignatianprayer.htm
Day Nine: Make a joyful noise to the Lord. Make music by singing a song you have memorized or put on a CD and sing along. Let your voice praise God.
Day Ten: Journey with Jesus. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke or John from beginning to end during Lent and journey with him from the manger to the empty grave.
Day Seven: Open your awareness to those things that are destructive in the world - sources of injustice and oppression that result in destructive behaviours that hurt individuals, communities, and creation.
Day Eight: Practice the Daily Examen. One of the long-established spiritual practices in Christianity, championed by Ignatius of Loyola (a Spanish reformer and contemporary of John Calvin, who soudht to reform the Roman church from within), is a discipline of self-examination and repentance Ignatius called exmen. For more information: http://norprov.org/spirituality/ignatianprayer.htm
Day Nine: Make a joyful noise to the Lord. Make music by singing a song you have memorized or put on a CD and sing along. Let your voice praise God.
Day Ten: Journey with Jesus. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke or John from beginning to end during Lent and journey with him from the manger to the empty grave.
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
40 Practices for LENT - Part 1
Day One: Ask for help. Lent begins when we recognize that we can't do everything ourselves and we depend on God's grace for our lives. Experience God's grace by asking for and receiving help for something we can't do on our own.
Day Two: Follow "Journey to the Cross" www.d365.org an online special devotional for Lent/Easter. Journey to the Cross features specially composed music, daily scripture reading and brief reflections.
Day Three: "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10). Turn off the TV, computer, phone and rest in the stillness. Even if it is just for 5 minutes.
Day Four: Prayer walk in the neighbourhood (where you live or work). Simply walk around and pray for what you see, hear, touch and smell.
Day Five: Prepare and cook a "simple meal" of rice and beans for lunch or dinner. Give the money you save in preparing this meal to an organization that feeds the hungry. Pray before the meal and be reflective about those for whom this is their only meal.
Day Two: Follow "Journey to the Cross" www.d365.org an online special devotional for Lent/Easter. Journey to the Cross features specially composed music, daily scripture reading and brief reflections.
Day Three: "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10). Turn off the TV, computer, phone and rest in the stillness. Even if it is just for 5 minutes.
Day Four: Prayer walk in the neighbourhood (where you live or work). Simply walk around and pray for what you see, hear, touch and smell.
Day Five: Prepare and cook a "simple meal" of rice and beans for lunch or dinner. Give the money you save in preparing this meal to an organization that feeds the hungry. Pray before the meal and be reflective about those for whom this is their only meal.
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