Prayer is one of those disciplines that everyone needs to work on – not just in Lent, but everyday, all of the time. Prayer is the easiest and most important way to stay connected with G-d – without it our relationship with   G-d can be like two people talking on tin cans attached by a string – the connection is very poor.

There are different kinds of prayer, but I will focus on just four.

Blessing and Adoration (praising G-d)

Prayer of Petition (asking for what we need, including forgiveness)

Prayer of Intercession (asking for what others need)

Prayer of Thanksgiving (for what G-d has given and done)

The prayer of Adoration is the prayer we pray when we want to recognize the sovereignty of G-d, recognizing G-d’s power and dominion. A good way to pray a prayer of Adoration is to begin with words like “Lord G-d, you are good in your Greatness and Great in your goodness…”

The prayer of Petition is asking G-d for the things that we need today. We might petition G-d for healing, for guidance, for peace or for forgiveness. It is important that we not demand things from G-d, but place them before  G-d with a contrite heart.

The prayer of Intercession is one that is important in our own lives, and in the life of the church. One of the most important prayers we can pray is for others – because prayers for others are some of the most powerful prayers we can offer. If you read the Lord’s Prayer closely, you realize that the prayer is not personal, it is communal. “Give us this day…” and “Forgive us our sins…..” are about living in community. When we offer prayers for others we are admitting that others in our lives matter to us as much as they matter to G-d. 

The prayer of Thanksgiving is important as well, for it gives us the opportunity to offer up prayers of “Thanks” – thank you G-d for everything, everyone, every breath we take. Everything we have has G-d’s DNA on it. 

To have a successful prayer life, you must carve out time every day for your prayers. Establish a routine and stick to it. Make praying a priority every day. You will feel more connected to Christ if you make prayer a daily, spiritual discipline.

Pastor Dave

On three occasions in my life as a pastor, I have encouraged a congregation to join me in a campaign to read the bible through from cover to cover in one year. Each time I have had about 25 to 30 people join me and complete that journey. Each time we have taken on this discipline I have found it both rewarding and challenging, especially since I also chose to write a short devotion to accompany one of the readings for each day.

Bible reading is always a good devotion to take on each day – and once in a while you should decide to read the bible through from cover to cover.  There are one year, two year and three-year plans on the internet and often included in the bible you purchase to guide you through this process and keep you on course. Some may suggest you read it from front to back, cover to cover. Others will give you an Old Testament and a New Testament reading each day – and most likely a Psalm.

Why do we read the bible? Well, we read the bible because it is there, right?  Wrong, we read it because everything we do in the church, from our confessional statements to our Lutheran liturgy are formed from scripture.  Wouldn’t it be nice to know that when pastor begins the phrase “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us…”  we would be able to say to ourselves (quietly) I know where that comes from (1 John 1:8ff) 

I said that bible reading is rewarding and challenging. It is challenging because some books of the bible are easier to read than others, especially in the Old Testament. Of all the possible spiritual disciplines you can consider in Lent, I encourage you to take on the spiritual discipline of reading the bible. Do it at your own pace – use your own resources – and stick to it.

Pastor Dave