 St Alban’s Episcopal Church Bolivar, Missouri Tuesday, March 29, 2022 Prayer in Lent  PrayerWe say that prayer, fasting and almsgiving are central to our understanding of what makes a “holy” Lent. You will remember that on Ash Wednesday we heard: “I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.” But what does that look like this week, in mid-Lent? If you are as busy and distracted as I often am, you may be finding it hard to maintain the discipline. And prayer is a discipline, no question. This is what the Catechism (page 856 of the Book of Common Prayer) says about prayer: “Prayer is responding to God by thought and by deeds, with our without words.” And later, “The principal kinds of prayer are adoration, praise, thanksgiving, penitence, oblation, intercession, and petition.” But these may be expressed with or without words, and all require “deeds”; that is, we understand that what we do expresses the truth of our heart and minds. We adore God. We praise God. We thank God. We confess our wrongdoing and make amends when possible. We pray the prayer of oblation: “the offering of ourselves, our lives and labors, in union with Christ, for the purposes of God. “We intercede for others – We bring their needs and our own before God. The genuinely hard one might be the one that asks the most willingness on our part: “Take my life…”   A Simple Suggestion Pray the hymns you love. Many of them are actually poem-prayers.You don’t need to make up your own words. Today, as Prince Philip’s memorial service unfolded at Westminster Abbey in London, the choir sang two of his favorite hymns. He had specifically requested, “Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer” – which is a reflection of his own long life’s intention. It makes a good prayer for us, too: Guide me, O Thou Great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but Thou art mighty Hold me with thy powerful hand. Bread of heaven Feed me now and evermore. Open now the crystal fountain Whence the healing streams doth flow. Let the fiery cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through. Strong deliverer Be Thou still me strength and shield. When I tread the verge of Jordan Bid my anxious fears subside. Death of deathand hell’s destructionland me safe on Canaan’s side. Songs of praisesI will ever give to Thee. Or choose another.There are many – almost any will work.Let the music carry your heart, and the words embrace your mind and will – |
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