One last email from the Prayer Bench before Lent begins.
Did you have pancakes today? I’m having a sleepy afternoon after a lunch full of pancakes and blueberry sauce. I did pause to remember that this is eating for body and heart. We are nourished for the journey ahead. We get ready.
The Prayer Bench Lent Retreat is scheduled for sending tomorrow morning.
Here is a brief excerpt from the Email Retreat that invites us into the first half of Lent with a reflection and a choice of several practices. You receive Part 1 on Ash Wednesday, Part 2 on March 26, and 8 daily emails with prayers and reflections for Holy Week.
“Loves calls us here
to this threshold, dusty with our humanity.
The Unending Love of Jesus calls us here
on Wisdom’s path, a journey stretching before us.
We breathe in Love. We breathe out mercy.Take a few conscious breaths.
Wisdom is both a God-title and an ancient tradition found in many religions. It is a way of knowing. It is a vision leading to an awakened heart.”
There is still time to get signed up for this email retreat called The Pull of God. Learn more here.
I’m using the Lent Small Group Study, It’s Our Saga, Too as a Lent worship theme. Each Monday I’ll offer worship resources and you can find them on the study web page.
Here is a Lent 1 candle-lighting prayer for you.
"Now is the time for the colour purple.
We enter the season of Lent.
This is a time for us to examine our heart
and acknowledge the seeds of violence —
pettiness, pride, jealousy, insensitivity, greed and hatred.
We pause … we reflect on the week behind … we pray …. [Time for silent prayer]
This is a time for us to examine our heart
and see within us, the seeds of the Spirit —
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control.
We light our Christ candle.
The Light of the World reassures us.
We offer our whole selves to You,
We open ourselves to You. (pause)
Learn more about It’s Our Saga, Too.
Blessings on a wise and tender Lent,
Janice, Host of the Prayer Bench.
Visit the Prayer Bench Shop for other Lent resources.