PASTOR'S PERSPECTIVE FOR MARCH 2020
GOD’S BLESSINGS UPON YOU THIS LENT,
This year the five Sundays of Lent all occur in March. My favorite season, Lent is the time of preparation for the holy drama of Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem. The majesty of Palm Sunday, the intimacy of a last supper and foot washing, the anguish of Jesus’ time in the garden of Gethsemane, his mockery of a trial, the agony of his crucifixion, and the surprise and unbridled joy of his resurrection are more than anyone can fully ponder unprepared. Therefore, the church in its wisdom has given us the season of Lent just before Holy Week so that we can be better prepared for God’s mighty story.
The key disciplines of Lent are always the same: self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, and sacrificial giving and works of love. It is through these Lenten disciplines that we can better see how God is at work in our lives and in the world, making all things new through Jesus Christ.
This year, prayer may be the most important of the Lenten disciplines. It is certainly a core tenant of faith, and also something that all of us could improve upon (your pastor included!). Prayer is a conversation with God, a yearning for something different, better. Prayer is for yourself, for your family and friends, for strangers and nations and enemies. Prayer is for the world that God so loves. Prayer is often full of requests, but just as often full of thankfulness and praise. It can be structured, like meal prayers or reciting the Lord’s prayer. It can be extemporaneous, made up on the spot in the moment. Prayer is also listening to what God is saying to you through the Holy Spirit. Out loud with others, or in the privacy of your own room, prayer is a part of our lives.
As you journey through Lent this month, deepen and develop your prayer life so that you will be all the more ready for the wonder and awe of Holy Week. To help you with this discipline, here are some quotes about prayer that my mentor and internship supervisor, Pr. James Laurence, has collected.
Peace+ Pastor Kowitz
True, whole prayer is nothing but love. - St. Augustine
Prayer is not something you do. It is something, finally, you are. - Richard Rohr
If you want a life of prayer, the way to get it is by praying. - Thomas Merton
Prayer is not an escape from the world but an entrance into it. - Ann & Barry Ulanov, Primary Speech
The only way to pray is to pray; and the way to pray well is to pray much. - Dom Chapman
Prayer is the test of everything; prayer is also the source of everything; prayer is the driving force of everything; prayer is also the director of everything. If prayer is right, everything is right. - St. Theophan the Recluse
Every religion that is worth its salt has taught people how to pray. - William Johnston
If we wish to pray with confidence and gladness, then the words of Holy Scripture will have to be the solid basis of our prayer.- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
This year the five Sundays of Lent all occur in March. My favorite season, Lent is the time of preparation for the holy drama of Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem. The majesty of Palm Sunday, the intimacy of a last supper and foot washing, the anguish of Jesus’ time in the garden of Gethsemane, his mockery of a trial, the agony of his crucifixion, and the surprise and unbridled joy of his resurrection are more than anyone can fully ponder unprepared. Therefore, the church in its wisdom has given us the season of Lent just before Holy Week so that we can be better prepared for God’s mighty story.
The key disciplines of Lent are always the same: self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, and sacrificial giving and works of love. It is through these Lenten disciplines that we can better see how God is at work in our lives and in the world, making all things new through Jesus Christ.
This year, prayer may be the most important of the Lenten disciplines. It is certainly a core tenant of faith, and also something that all of us could improve upon (your pastor included!). Prayer is a conversation with God, a yearning for something different, better. Prayer is for yourself, for your family and friends, for strangers and nations and enemies. Prayer is for the world that God so loves. Prayer is often full of requests, but just as often full of thankfulness and praise. It can be structured, like meal prayers or reciting the Lord’s prayer. It can be extemporaneous, made up on the spot in the moment. Prayer is also listening to what God is saying to you through the Holy Spirit. Out loud with others, or in the privacy of your own room, prayer is a part of our lives.
As you journey through Lent this month, deepen and develop your prayer life so that you will be all the more ready for the wonder and awe of Holy Week. To help you with this discipline, here are some quotes about prayer that my mentor and internship supervisor, Pr. James Laurence, has collected.
Peace+ Pastor Kowitz
True, whole prayer is nothing but love. - St. Augustine
Prayer is not something you do. It is something, finally, you are. - Richard Rohr
If you want a life of prayer, the way to get it is by praying. - Thomas Merton
Prayer is not an escape from the world but an entrance into it. - Ann & Barry Ulanov, Primary Speech
The only way to pray is to pray; and the way to pray well is to pray much. - Dom Chapman
Prayer is the test of everything; prayer is also the source of everything; prayer is the driving force of everything; prayer is also the director of everything. If prayer is right, everything is right. - St. Theophan the Recluse
Every religion that is worth its salt has taught people how to pray. - William Johnston
If we wish to pray with confidence and gladness, then the words of Holy Scripture will have to be the solid basis of our prayer.- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Latest Messages and Sermons
Sunday, March 22, 2020 |
Wednesday: March 18, 2020 |
Sunday: March 15, 2020 |
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