I dIdn’t know what else to title this, but it’s as good as any. A journey that is just past the one-third done mark. Lent. The season of giving up, abstaining, self-sacrifice. Other than sweets or coffee, I’m not privy to any other anecdotes on how this season of preparation for the Passion of our Lord is going. For some, the goal may be as simple as drawing closer to God, being more aware of His presence and providence.

Prayer can never be overstated. Well, I suppose it can, when listening to some that go on and on in puffed-up piety. What I mean is that the importance of prayer cannot be overstated. Quantity is not the goal, but quality. Heart-felt, sincere. The grace of God tells us that it is never too late to begin or resume this habit. Granted, if your prayer experience has yielded precious little in terms of perceived answers, it is easier to get discouraged. I have experienced His answer when praying for the Holy Spirit to come that the response is a breath of wind. Such moments are precious, given how quickly our own thoughts about family strife, financial worries, or global concerns encroach upon our divine conversation. Ever feel guilty for your mind wandering when trying to listen to God? (I just raised my hand).

God’s gracefulness can transform. Just keep asking for it. Silence, a lack of words, is okay. Others are praying for you, even if not at that precise moment. Angels also fill those gaps with their 24/7 protection. Strength, rest, health, peace of mind, resolution to a problem – whatever the appeal, we can rest assured that God knows the need far better than we ourselves. We don’t need words, only a heart centered on Him. “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26). When we are swimming against the current, words may not come readily. We keep on stroking, swimming parallel to the shore so that we don’t drown from the undertow. The journey in water over our head in a seemingly endless ocean will not consume us. Before we know it, we will take a deep breath and exhale at the foot of the cross, upon which our salvation was accomplished. That unconditional love hears our wordless groans and sighs

Pastor Art