A Prayer for Entering Lent

for dancing with the darkness and leaning into mystery (plus some resources to honor this season)

God of mystery and wisdom,
be with us this Lenten season.

It’s been a long way, already
sickness, worry, grief, fear, waiting
our hearts are heavy
souls are weary
bodies are hurting
hope is wavering
yet, You are with us.

God of mystery and wisdom,
be with us this Lenten season.

Show us Your grace
in the small moments of silence
the prayers offered from a friend
the kindness of a stranger
the lighting of a candle
the listening to a child
the care of neighbors,
You are with us.

God of mystery and wisdom,
be with us this Lenten season.

Settle our hearts
revive our spirits
increase our faith
spread our love.

God of mystery and wisdom,
be with us this Lenten season.

With ashes and dust
reading and listening
wandering and walking
praying and singing
eating and fasting
show us the way forward.

God of mystery and wisdom,
be with us this Lenten season.

As we walk to the cross
keep our eyes fixed
on You and Your love
caring for others
crossing boundaries
reaching out to the poor.

God of mystery and wisdom,
You are here
taking our pain
transforming death into life
over and over again —
You are love.

“Ash Wednesday is full of joy.
The source of all sorrow is the illusion that of ourselves we are anything but dust.”

-Thomas Merton

A Few Ways to Honor the Season of Lent

It’s not too late to make these Scratch and Pray cards to pray your way as a family through Lent. We assembled them for the families at church and I look forward to this hands-on way to pray this season.

We’ll also be making our way through Glenys Nellist’s newest book Twas the Season of Lent with a reading for each day! You can also download the activity pack for further engagement.

What would it look like for your family to celebrate the gifts of others this month? To truly notice the people in your community, at work and in your church? To not necessarily cheer out loud but go out of your way to thank someone or send a handwritten note? My monthly column for Living Lutheran reflects on the gifts we can offer this month.