Listen

“When you pray, don’t be like hypocrites. They love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so that people will see them. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.”

Matthew 6:5-6

Think

Heading into Lent, Jesus’ teaching on prayer feels so freeing to me.

I have to be honest – there have been a lot of years when I have begun Lent with big plans for a super spiritual experience; I spent a lot of energy thinking about what I wanted to fast and what books I was going to read and how I was going to pray daily – oh, and don’t forget the Lenten photo-a-day challenge!

Somehow, the years when I have tried to make the most out of Lent, I’ve followed through the least on my plans. I think it’s because I was too caught up in some idea of a spiritual experience, and my expectations (of myself and the experience) were unrealistic.

Prayer – the spiritual life – is not glamorous, is not entertaining, is not for show. “When you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place,” says Jesus. No fancy plans, no flexing for an audience.

God bids you to come – just as you are. Just the two of you. Just be.

Meredith Forssman

Pray

God, who is like a Father and a Mother to me,

I breathe in your unconditional love.

I rest in your presence.

I breathe out with assurance: you are here.

I want to share with you what is on my heart and mind today…

Thank you for inviting me into a conversation with you.

Amen.

Go

Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Charlotte Elliott in “Just As I Am” (1834)