We Do Not Travel Alone - Resources For The Journey Of Lent

I'll be honest, this whole trying to be thoughtful and prayerful is harder than it sounded on Ash Wednesday. The 40 days of Lent are meant to mimic the 40 days Jesus fasted and wandered in the desert where he was tempted by Satan. And at times I feel like I'm in my own desert.

Luckily, I am not the only one making this journey. I have found the following resources to be very helpful in my reflections during Lent. I hope they can help you too. (If you come across others, please let me know in the comments.)

Cardiphonia - This site is a great resource for prayer and art in worship. Their Resources For Lent post has a nice collection of songs and other liturgical items for Lent.

Phyllis Tickle - She is best known for her series of books on the Divine Hours, which are a series of fixed hour prayers. In 2008, Beliefnet asked her to journal every day during Lent. You can find the archives here.

Lent & Beyond, An Anglican Prayer Blog - This blog began back during Lent 2004, and is maintained by a group of Anglicans who are concerned about the direction of the Episcopal church. (Anglicans feeling lost in their own denomination have a special place in my heart, My church in Minnesota fell into that camp, and I know how much those years of Anglican liturgy - and the people - impacted my life.) Even if you are not Anglican, I think they have some lovely prayers, reflections, etc.

Though much of Lent is spent reflecting on our own shortcomings, it is nice to know that others are struggling through these same things with us.


A Prayer For The Eleventh Day Of Lent
Lord, as we spend these days of Lent reflecting on our own brokenness, we realize how imperfect we are. We will never understand everything about you. By resting in the knowledge of your radical grace, we are forced to wrestle with difficult problems - problems that will never be resolved with our limited understanding. Make your glory known to us in magnificent and tangible ways. Invade our lives with your Holy Spirit, and let us know that you are God. Drive out our unbelief in ways that even the harshest skeptic can say, "I encountered God."

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer

-Ben Reed, March 1, 2010


Rouse Us Daily By Your Prayers
Grant, Almighty God,
that as you shine on us by your word,
we may not be blind at midnight,
nor wilfully seek darkness,
and thus lull our minds asleep.

But may we be roused daily by your words,
and may we stir up ourselves more and more to fear your name
and thus present ourselves and all our pursuits,
as a sacrifice to you,
that you may peaceably rule,
and perpetually dwell in us,
until you gather us to your kingdom,
where there is reserved for us eternal rest and glory
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

- John Calvin (Thanks to Lent & Beyond, An Anglican Prayer Blog)


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