LIVING, LEARNING & LOVING during LENT
Lenten devotionals for March and April. We will focus on a different concept each day of the week: Sundays: Resting/Taking Sabbath Mondays: Fasting Tuesdays: Giving Wednesdays: Serving Thursdays: Praying Fridays: Studying/Learning Saturdays: Celebrating/Playing.
April 10 (Thursday – Praying)
- Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14 – if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face …
- Reflection: As spiritual beings, we are imbued with a deep longing for connection to something larger than ourselves. Prayer is an expression of this yearning. We seek. We reach. We open ourselves.
Sometimes we do this as a habitual practice, and it is built into our schedules and routines. At other times, we only turn to prayer in extremity: in utter crisis, in heightened celebration, in profound gratitude.
During Lent, we are reminded to cultivate this discipline as part of our everyday lives. Allow time to experience that yearning, that desire for connection. Become vulnerable. Create opportunities to ask for help, to share delight, and express appreciation. Pray in whatever way comes most naturally. Do it while being busy with some household chore or during a contemplative exercise, whether its vacuuming, washing dishes, cooking, or walking the dog, or else turning to a quiet and focused activity such as coloring, sketching, knitting, tossing a ball, practicing an athletic skill, or other repetitive activities that permit you to think and pray, too. - Spiritual Practice Prompt: Set aside time for prayer. Choose at least one form of prayer: request for help, expression of praise and awe, or sharing gratitude.
Song:
- Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi: https://youtu.be/lDK9QqIzhwk
- Save a Prayer by Duran Duran: https://youtu.be/6Uxc9eFcZyM
- Pray to God by Calvin Harris: https://youtu.be/8FOBxcluXdk
Prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. – St. Therese of Lisieux
Prayer is the song of the heart. It reaches the ear of God even if it is mingled with the cry and tumult of a thousand men. – Kahlil Gibran
April 10th Daily Devotional