For the week leading up to Sunday, Feb 15.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb 18 (46 days before Resurrection Day (Easter) April 5. Lent literally means “spring” - the time farmers plow, clear the fields and prepare the soil for the coming seed. Likewise, we clear mind and heart of debris, breaking up hardened areas in our hearts, turning over offenses and sins to become manure for new growth. Then we sow the seed of God’s Word and wait. We watch and prayerfully meditate on God so that we change more into His likeness and make Him known to others. Though the labor is difficult we the joy of the Lord strengthens us as we choose to be joyful for a change. 

Meditate on the Scripture and prayer below.

Let this mind be in you which was in Christ. Phil 2

Jesus asked his closest friends to tarry/watch/pray/wait with Him but they fell asleep. Can we identify with their weakness? What hinders us from waiting and meditating on Christ and our union with his love?

Matthew 26:38, 40, 41 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry (wait, keep watch) ye here, and watch with me... “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

HINDRANCES TO TARRYING OR WAITING ON GOD

1) Don’t want to hear because we know we will have to obey?

2) Don’t know how to be quiet, still?

3) Don’t know how to meditate in His Word (maybe we’ve tried but can’t “hear God” or get anything out of “praying the Scripture”)?

4) We simply don’t believe God commands us to meditate in his word (I encourage you to use your concordance to see how many times we are commanded)?

5) We think we are too busy to  tarry/watch/wait/ pray with God for a length of time (see Mt 28:37-41)?

HELPS:

1) Ask grace to change our mind and amend our ways (Lk 15:10).

2) The problem is not our wandering mind or feelings, but in surrender of our will. Try meditating by slowly and prayerfully thinking your way through the first several phrases of the prayer Jesus taught us: “Your will be done.”

3) Start small but be consistent.

4) Ask others for help or to practice together in small group.

5) Begin with thanksgiving and find joy in Him.

-PD