March Prayer Practice
After moving through the Lenten season, we are headed toward Easter! This season holds so many changes, including a time change for those of us in states that participate. We are springing forward, which essentially just means we are losing an hour of sleep! Some seasons are marked by loss, and during Lent, we can feel those losses deeply. As we continue to be marked by the cross of Ash Wednesday and feel the heaviness of waiting for the good news of Easter, how are you holding yourself before the Lord? What are you carrying that is heavy or burdensome? As we reflect on our own seasons of loss, we remember how God makes his presence known, reassuring us that we would get through it together.
We thank God for a community of people who follow Jesus and hold us in times of need. We would love to hear how you have felt God throughout Lent and how you are celebrating Easter. Please continue to send us your stories.
Lectio Divina
This month’s prayer practice is praying the Scriptures, sometimes called lectio divina. This practice is summed up in five simple steps:
- Read. Read a Bible passage slowly and carefully.
- Meditate. Dwell upon a spiritual reality within the text.
- Pray. Have a loving conversation with God.
- Contemplate. Rest in God’s presence.
- Act. Go and do likewise.
Here are some Scripture prompts to consider this month. Feel free to select one each day, or spend time throughout the day on different passages.
- Jeremiah 11:18-20
- Psalm 23
- Matthew 28:1-10
- John 8:51-59
- Hebrews 10:16-25
We also invite you to spend some focused time praying for:
- Holy Week at your church. We are praying for local congregations as they prepare and for people in their community who need to hear the good news of the Easter story.
- Conferences. We invite you to lift up your regional conference as they prepare to host their conference annual meetings.
- Denomination. Please pray for President Tammy Swanson-Draheim and our leadership teams in this season of ministry. Pray for the denominational staff as we continue to faithfully serve and to fully live into our re-organization.
Now may the God of peace who raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
