We do preparation when a big upcoming event in our lives. For Christians, Holy Week and Easter are “big events”. So, as Christians, we prepare spiritually for these through the forty days of Lent. This means that, during Lent, we rededicate ourselves to prayer.
There are as many ways to pray as there are pray-ers in this world, but a few prayer methods can help us in particular to spiritually prepare ourselves during Lent:
- Prayer-in-Action
As Catholics, we are called to give up something for Lent. Usually, we give up our favorite things like Chocolate, coffee, that extra helping of dinner, one less hour of video games or watching DVDs. Whatever it is, you can make what you’re giving up for Lent a prayer as well: a prayer-in-action. Take a moment to say a prayer in recognition of your wholeness in God even without the thing you have given up. Thank God for the freedom to be wholly yourself without this and, at the same time, acknowledge the gift of its existence in the world.
2. Renew Yourself
Lent is a season of spiritual renewal. You can follow any self-reflective prayers. If you’re seeking more traditional support for your personal reflective prayer, consider a book specially designed to nourish you during Lent, such as Praying Lent.
3. Pray the Stations of the Cross
One of the most popular traditions of Lent is to pray the Stations of the Cross. This can help us reflect on the passion and death of Christ in preparation for the Good Friday observance and the Easter celebration.
4. Meditate on Holy Scripture
Perhaps the oldest method of scriptural prayer known to Christians is lectio divina or “holy reading.” You can read slowly and meditate on the meaning of the text. Lectio divina is rooted in the belief that the scriptural word speaks in the human heart as the word of God and can reveal the thoughts of our hearts in response to God. In this way, lectio divina leads to a deeper communion with the Divine.
5. Liturgical Prayer
When you attend Mass during Lent, be conscious of and meditate on the words you pray in the liturgy. Focus on each part of the Mass and after receiving communion, you may want to sit and reflect more deeply on this great prayer of the Church.
6. Pray with Family
Being a parent share your faith with children by letting them see and hear you pray, and by praying together. And don’t forget about family dinners. Dinnertime is a great opportunity to start or enliven a tradition of family prayer during Lent.