And in the interest of preparation I give you...one prayer journal. Authentically chewed by either a cat or a baby, as everything in my house is.
Obviously I can't do all things on my list right away. Some things I can only do once and some are going to have to be longer projects. I need to start somewhere, though, so the daily prayer time and the prayer journal are my 'Day 1' goals.
Behold, The Zondervan Biblical Encyclopedia. There are many, many pages under the heading 'Prayer'. I am getting through them slooowwly. This falls under the 'Prayer research' section, but it's also somewhat necessary just because, well, I need to know what I'm doing, right?
Yarn! Am I knitting a prayer shawl? I haven't decided yet. I'm knitting something, though. Maybe a prayer dishcloth. When you wash your pots, remember that I was praying they would be clean. I really like this idea but it seems overwhelming. I'm also really trying to stay focused on my ultimate goal here, improving my prayer life, and not get sidetracked. Knitting might prove to be a sidetrack, I haven't decided yet.
Oh, and I'm getting together names for prayer requests! Do you have something you'd like me to pray for you for? You can either leave me a message in the comments, as vague or as specific as your comfort level allows, and I assure you I will add your requests to my little book.
2 comments:
I'm excited for you and your journey, Amy!
I've been looking forward to Lent myself. I first really observed Lent about 12 years ago by giving up coffee, and have given up one or two favourite things every year since. The real purpose in this for me, I think, has just been the fact that it keeps me reminded that we are in a specific season, a season that ends with something wonderful. Then about five years ago, I decided, after reading of other people's approaches, that I should also take something positive on for Lent. I decided to do the evening prayers from the Book of Common Prayer, every day for 46 days (including Sundays). This proved to be, in some ways, quite gruelling, but very rewarding. Enough so, that I did the same for the next two years. Among other things, it was good for my prayer life because of the nightly 'scripted' period of prayer included in the short service. Last year I was looking for something a bit different so I did a scaled down version of the Evening Prayers and added the reading of a book or two (depending on how quickly the reading went). I went book hunting in Stan's library and ended up with a couple of books by Robert Farrar Capon. The first one I read was called, “ Mystery of Christ and Why We Don’t Get It.” I may not agree with every last thing this man says, but he opens up the gospel in such a simple and practical way that just left me encourage, blessed, free, hopeful, thoughtful… all kinds of positive.
This year, I’m going to take a break from the Evening Prayers, though I will probably build a prayer time into my evening ritual. I don’t think I’ll be giving anything up either, except for my usual night time novel or crossword puzzle. I have ordered Capon’s most recent book, “Genesis, the Movie,” and am eagerly awaiting delving into it. If I finish that before the six weeks are up, and I expect I will, Stan has more Capon and many other books and I’m sure God will lead me in my selection. One other book I am planning on reading in conjunction with this one is a book written by a rock star who came to Christ from a life of drugs. I know nothing about this person, have never heard of him, but I saw the book in a secular book store marked down to a $1 and felt I should get it.
While I’m looking forward to Lent, I would never say that I love it – it’s Easter I love! Lent is long and difficult, but that makes the reward, the empty tomb on Easter morning, all the more magnificent! I have been a Christian since I was very young, I certainly have appreciated the meaning of Easter, but I never revelled in it until I began to really experience Lent. So bring on Lent, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be!
Wow, I’ve pretty much written a blog post as a comment. Sometimes I think of writing a blog, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t stick to it as you have here. I really appreciate your thoughtful posts.
And my prayer request? I just ask that you pray for me on my Lenten journey, and I will be praying for you.
Martha
Martha, thank you so much for sharing part of your Lent! I hope you find the prayer experiment interesting in the next 40 days; I know I'm really excited about it. I've written your request down in my prayer book and tomorrow morning your name will be on the list of those I lift, albeit sleepily and possibly without the correct humble spirit at first, to God!
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