Lent, Day Two, Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Discipline: Preparing a Place for God
Discipline in the spiritual life is the concentrated effort to create the space and time where God can become our master and where we can respond freely to God's guidance. Thus, discipline is the creation of boundaries that keep time and space open for God--a time and a place where God's gracious presence can be acknowledged and responded to..
Henri J.M. Nouwen
Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith, pg 4
Scripture:
14 If you fear the Lord, you will accept his correction. He will bless those who get up early in the morning to pray. 15 Study his Law, and you will master it, unless you are insincere about it, in which case you will fail. 16 If you fear the Lord, you will know what is right, and you will be famous for your fairness. 17 Sinners have no use for correction, and will interpret the Law to suit themselves.
20 Don't take a course of action that is dangerous, and don't make the same mistake twice.[c] 21 Don't be too sure of yourself, even when the way looks easy. 22 Always watch where you are going.[d] 23 Whatever you do be careful;[e] this is keeping the Lord's commands.
Sirach 32:14-17, 20-23
PRAYER
Holy God, give me the discipline it takes to keep my heart open to your word. Do not let the anger of resentment sidetrack me from the priority of seeking my true home with you. Please give me what it takes to recognize that any personal rejections, real or imagined, are only reminders of an imperfect world. Bestow your grace on me so that life's disappointments will bring out the best in me and not the worst. Amen.
LENTEN ACTION
Make it a point to retreat from life's fast lane for the duration of this Lenten observance in order to nurture and grow an attachment to the Lord's incarnation, passion, death, and resurrection. Select and set aside a prayer time to meditate and respond to God's gracious presence.
No comments:
Post a Comment