LENT: Prayer

Listen:

In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

Reflect:

I am not a morning person. Our team decided to pray together early every Saturday. And morning prayer sets the tone for a full day, for which I am grateful.

I wonder if Jesus is a morning person. He was certainly busy, leading a ragtag bunch, feeding healing teaching thousands… yet he carved out time to pray. 

In the morning, while it was still very dark… 

It may not have been safe, roaming out in the dark… Praying in the dark takes effort. Praying takes effort. Jesus went to a deserted place, taking effort to go far enough to be alone, to pray. Why did Jesus pray? Why did he need to talk to God in this way?

Today is the door to Lent, precious days to remember, be still, and (re)turn our eyes to God. For self-examination, for reconciliation, for healing, for hope.

Why do I need to pray, alone? Why be still and listen, when I can move straight to action? Why talk to God, about items on my to do list, on my mind, of people I love, worries and joys… As I take time writing this, I remember times of prayer, light in darkness. How I needed, still need, this time, alone, in “tête à tête” with God. To ponder with Him, maybe argue less, more to listen.  

Father, I am so glad you are here. Thank you for your patience. Still slightly distracted, I am glad for time to be just me, near you.

And so I pray.

Prayer of Response:

Father, as we step into the season of Lent, remind us of what is essential, the richness and certainty of the unseen: walking life with you, receiving forgiveness, peace and reconciliation, love, joy, hope. Enable us to encourage each other onwards in simple prayer, just as Jesus taught us. Amen

Questions to Ponder:

What, and/or who, do you need to trust and release to God, this season of Lent?

How did a time alone in prayer encouraged you, in the past, today, this week?  

—Submitted by Kae Ting Trouilloud
Kae lives in Lyon, France, and despite not being a morning person, she is thankful for patience and support, morning and night, from the Lifesprings international community. She prays alone and with others, and covets your prayers too, for the faithful team walking with God, preparing the March session of the bilingual Lifesprings School of Ministry LSM-Formation Zoé. Please pray onwards for our students, the reason for this school, for continual trust in God, as they ponder and tend ministry projects, formal and informal, amidst extraordinary circumstances. May all involved be encouraged and be amazed by God’s everlasting love, by His ever presence with us, in all forms of prayer, with or without words.