Thus said the Lord God, The Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength. ~Isaiah 30:15
The Lenten 40, Day 1
Today’s reading in “40 Days to a Closer Walk With God” focuses on the importance of prayer, and the value of Centering Prayer in particular.
According to J. David Muyskens, when we engage in centering prayer, we:
- receive the gift of an intimate relationship with God deeper than words can express
- let go of our efforts to reach God and simply rest in the love of the Trinity
- let go of our attachments and surrender ourselves to Christ
- release whatever thoughts come to mind and consent to the Presence and to the restoring action of the Spirit within
This morning, I smile as I envision many of us enjoying this precious alone time with the Lord. I see us in a large room, stretching from coast to coast; each of us is sitting bathed in God’s love, quietly soaking up the peace of His company.
In our hands we cradle a bowl full of life’s goodness, extending it to God in thankfulness for all that we have received. We feel the tremendous peace found in resting quietly with Him.
God’s words to me this morning: Stand firm, fix your gaze upon me. I will guide your next steps. Guard against looking out into the periphery, or into the distance. Focus on the here and now.
I know full well that God has written the script for my life – but I thank Him anyway for these gentle but firm reminders that I should place implicit trust in Him.
40 Days to a Closer Walk With God follows this daily pattern:
1. Reading the written reflection
2. Spending 10-20 minutes in centering prayer, using a familiar word for God that you continue to repeat when other thoughts enter your mind.
3. Lectio Divina, or “divine reading” – reading scripture to listen for a word from God. Ask, “What does the word I am hearing mean for me?”
4. Reflecting and/or journaling about what you have thought or heard.
5. Resting in God.
On this Ash Wednesday, I give thanks as we begin this time of nurturing a closer relationship with God. In the process, I pray that He will incinerate the things within me that are not pleasing to Him. And…only He can transform that rubble into something beautiful that gives Him glory.
Let us all begin this journey with joyful expectancy of what God will reveal in the days ahead.
Today’s Lectio Divina: Isaiah 30:15-18
For more on Lectio Divina, click here.
A Lenten Journey of similar focus: http/jesuszen.wordpress.com/
beWARM 
Incinerate what is in my heart!
My prayer was so similar! Not as pretty. however ;-)
I was so touched to discover the Isaian quote for this first day … it is one of my favorites … somewhat obscure … not always used … I’ve used it often in directing retreats. The “returning and rest” called out to me. I feel like my Lent began early with my dear Mom’s sudden death on Feb. 15th. The “rest” is speaking to my heart. To “rest” in our dear good God … such is my need these days.
Susan, He *will* give us all the “rest” we need. And, thankfully, your Mom is now at rest with Him. Such a comforting thought….