40 DAYS OF LENT
Wednesday 14th February – Thursday 28th March 2024
Lent is a season that takes place in the 40 days before Good Friday (the day we remember Jesus’ death on the cross). Why 40 days? Some Christian traditions would compare this season with that of the 40 days of Jesus in the wilderness, which was part of his preparation for his ministry on the earth (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13).
So, we want to ‘walk through the wilderness’ together to the cross of Jesus, fixing our eyes, our attention and our schedules on him as we go.
JOIN US IN
Fixed
Hour
Prayer
The idea of fixed hour prayer is simple. To orient our lives around meeting Jesus in prayer.
An intentional season of not letting our lifestyle dictate our relationship with Jesus, and instead allowing Jesus to shape our lifestyle and agenda.
How does it work?
Pick 3 or more regular times
e.g. 6am, 12noon, 7pm if you’re an earlybird, or maybe 9am, 1pm and 11pm if you’re a night owl.
Consider your work patterns, kids needs.
Pick 'how' you're going to pray
e.g. start with silent prayer and praying.a Psalm at 7am, the Lord’s prayer at 12.30pm and thanksgiving in the evening. Below we have some prayers as resources. There are loads of great options.
Be prepared!
This won’t work without intention. Set calendar or phone reminders, mark it in the diary, invite your spouse to join you, re-think the morning routine etc. If you’re a smartphone person, you might find the free Inner Room app by 24/7 Prayer helpful.
Prayer Resources
Here are a few prayers/models/resources to help you.
There are far more out there too!
Silence is the mode of prayer where we come to God for His purposes – not just with a list of stuff. Here’s a 5-minute guided prayer we prepared a couple of years ago as part of our teaching around silence.
Based on the prayer Jesus gave us in Matthew 6. A simple prayer you could pray on the go, or at the desk in work:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
App-based daily guided Scripture reading and prayer prepared by 24/7 Prayer. Info and download here.
Typically an evening prayer, Daily Examen explores your day and re-centres you upon God.
The Psalms are the prayer and worship book of David (and others), and are a superb place for us to spend time in reflection and prayer. Here’s a resource that might help you.
