Why Lent?

You have probably heard someone say this, “I’m giving up… (chocolate, caffeine, fast food, etc) for Lent” around this time of year.

But Lent is so much more than “giving up” something. For more than sixteen centuries, followers of Jesus around the world have set aside the 40 days leading up to Holy Week as an intentional spiritual journey of repentance and renewal. We do this in solidarity with Jesus, who was led by the Spirit into the desert for 40 days, following his baptism. Why the desert? It is in the ‘desert places' that our temptations, false selves, disordered loves, and cherised idols are exposed. It is in the desert that are prepared to rediscover the amazing good news of the gospel of Holy Week and Easter.

Theologian Julie Canlis sums up Lent this way:

“That’s what Lent is all about. When we fast, give up social media, or relinquish other habits, we place ourselves in the wilderness. There in that barren space, we’re better able to hear the simplicity and power of the gospel message: We are loved by God and loved to the death. Only by staying grounded in this love does sin break its hold on us. Only by his affection do our temptations wither. And only through declaring ourselves beloved can we look ahead to what comes out of the desert—the resurrection of Christ, through whom all things are made new.”

I invite you to try out a new spiritual practice this Lent- praying Scripture into your everyday life. Each week during the next six weeks we will take a portion of the first chapter of Ephesians (amazing good news!), and learn to pray it into our lives and world. HERE is a copy of the prayer guide.

If you are looking to join a new small group to study and pray through this passage, check out a DNA Road Test starting soon.

To prepare your heart and mind for this season of spiritual renewal, check out Julie Canlis’ video talk at Biola University.

Finally, check out The Lent Project for an artistic guide through this sacred season (source: Biola University).

Push Pause

How to take a four-minute Sabbath.

by Pastor Paul Dugan

For more on the gift of Sabbath, see Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.

Fallow Time

How God restores the soil of our souls.

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Gratitude Heals

A psalm for Thanksgiving week…

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Did you know that gratitude is proven to contribute to greater mental, relational, and spiritual health? Thanksgiving is a key to human well-being! This is the conclusion of a growing number of respected scientific studies, ex. Psychology Today, and Berkeley. See also this podcast on the amazing power of gratitude.

No wonder that so many of the psalms are songs of thanksgiving.

The Psalms provide a “playlist” for all dimensions of the human experience, for all parts of the human soul. This playlist includes a wide variety of genres that help us gather the whole of our lives in honest and grateful prayer before God.

The Psalms have changed my life. They have become medicine for my soul.

Psalm 107 is a classic example of a thanksgiving psalm:

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
    those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
    from east and west, from north and south.

4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,
    finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty,
    and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
    to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.

10 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
    prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 because they rebelled against God’s commands
    and despised the plans of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
    they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
    and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
    and cuts through bars of iron.

17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways
    and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
18 They loathed all food
    and drew near the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them;
    he rescued them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
    and tell of his works with songs of joy.

23 Some went out on the sea in ships;
    they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the Lord,
    his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
    that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
    in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
    they were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
    the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
    and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
    and praise him in the council of the elders…

43 Let the one who is wise heed these things
    and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

Note the artistry of this psalm. What words, images, or design patterns do you observe in each of the stanzas? (vss. 4-9; 10-16; 17-22; 23-32)

Here’s a version of Psalm 107 set to music…

From the album Lost Animals (2009) by Josh Garrels. joshgarrels.com.

Psalms of thanksgiving often include four elements:

• Description of past trouble,

• Remembrance of our cry for help,

• Description of the Lord's wonderful deliverance, 

• Call others to join you in a response of praise.

Now craft your own psalm of thanksgiving:

• Describe a past trouble:

• and how you called on the Lord:

• Describe the Lord’s deliverance:

• Based on his deliverance, how can you encourage others to join you in praise and thanksgiving this week?

Other examples of other psalms of thanksgiving:  Psalm 9, 32, 34, 67, 92, 116, 118, 124, 126, 138

For more on praying the psalms:

Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms. Here is a list of psalms by genre (literary style).

Here is an index to digital prayer guides for more than one hundred individual psalms.

Here is a guide to praying the psalms into your day.

Here is one of my favorite prayers of thanksgiving from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.

Psalm 67 - A Psalm of Praise (Orientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try beginning your prayer with praise, using this three-part rhythm.

Part I: Become present to the presence of God:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Ps 90:14)

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any burdens you are carrying into this new day. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) into the presence of God.

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 67 (ESV) out loud:

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, 

2 that your way may be known on earth,
    your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you!

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you judge the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations upon earth. 
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you!

6 The earth has yielded its increase;
    God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
    let all the ends of the earth fear him.

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 67 back to God:

“Lord God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit- I praise you, for who you are…

“I praise you for what you have done. Specifically, I thank you for…

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 67 set to music…

From the album Psalm Songs (2018), by The Corner Room. cornerroommusic.com.

For links to individual guides for more than one hundred different psalms click here.

For more on the Psalms:

Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms.

For a list of psalms by literary style (genre) click here.

For an introduction to the narrative arc of the psalms, see Spirituality of the Psalms, by Walter Brueggemann.

Psalm 79 - A Psalm of Lament (Disorientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try this three-part rhythm for pausing in the midst of your days for prayer:

Part I: Become present to the presence of God.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:10-11

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any distractions you are carrying into this moment. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) before God.

Part II: Slowly read from Psalm 79:1-9 (ESV)

1 O God, the nations have come into your inheritance;

they have defiled your holy temple;
    they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
2 They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food,
    the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.
3 They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem,
    and there was no one to bury them.
4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors,
    mocked and derided by those around us

5 How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour out your anger on the nations
    that do not know you,
and on the kingdoms
    that do not call upon your name!
7 For they have devoured Jacob
    and laid waste his habitation.

8 Do not remember against us our former iniquities;
    let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation,
    for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins,  for your name's sake.

Part III: Pray your own lament psalm- for yourself, or on behalf of someone who is suffering in your world.

• Describe the trouble in detail to God.

• Express your honest emotions: "Lord, I am feeling sad about…; "… angry…;  “… afraid…

• Bring him your honest questions: "Lord, why….?;  "How long, Lord, before you…?; "Where are you in…?

• Make your plea to God:   "Please, Lord…; "Remember back when you…; Do it again, Lord!”

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 79 set to music…

For links to individual guides for more than one hundred different psalms click here.

For more on the Psalms:

Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms.

For a list of psalms by literary style (genre) click here.

For an introduction to the narrative arc of the psalms, see Spirituality of the Psalms, by Walter Brueggemann.

Psalm 1 - A Psalm of Wisdom (Orientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try using this three-part rhythm to cultivate a heart of wisdom…

Part I: Become present to the presence of God:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Ps 90:14)

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any burdens you are carrying into this time of prayer. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your body, thoughts, emotions, desires and your imagination (‘as-is’) - into the presence of God.

Preparing to pray a psalm of wisdom:

Wisdom in the Hebrew Scriptures is not the same thing as ‘smarts.’ It is possible to be a smart fool. Neither is wisdom a ‘secret knowledge’ possessed by a mystically-gifted elite. Wisdom is the practical skill of making good choices in the sight of God, of being oriented around God in the everyday stuff of life.

Psalms of wisdom often include proverbs with short memorable sayings, contrasting light with darkness, good with evil, and the righteous with the wicked.

Key words to look for in wisdom psalms: righteous, wicked, wise, foolish, blessed, fear of the Lord, law of the Lord. Examples of psalms of wisdom: Psalm 1, 14, 15, 19, 37, 49, 73, 112, 119, 127, 128, 133.

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 1 (NLT) out loud:

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.

3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

4 But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly.

6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 1 back to God:

"I lament the sorrow and pain in my life and world that has resulted from unwise choices... (yours and others’)

“I thank you God for giving us clear boundaries, for defining for us what is true and false, good and evil, wise and foolish. And thank you for giving us the freedom to choose the good. I bring to you the choices that are before me today… (ex, how you invest your time, thoughts, words, relationships, money, abilities, body, etc.)

“Make me like a fruitful tree, planted in your…

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 1 set to music…

From the album Worship and the Word, Vol 2 (2022) by Shane and Shane. shaneandshane.com

From the album “Songs for the Journey Vol. 1” (2014), by The Shiyr Poets.

From the album By the Streams (2016) by Jonathan Ogden.

For links to individual guides for more than one hundred different psalms click here.

For more on the Psalms:

Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms.

For a list of psalms by literary style (genre) click here.

For an introduction to the narrative arc of the psalms, see Spirituality of the Psalms, by Walter Brueggemann.

Psalm 23 - A Psalm of Trust (Reorientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try this three-part rhythm for cultivating a heart of trust…

Part I: Become present to the presence of God.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any distractions you are carrying into this moment. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) before God.

Reflect on the joys and challenges of the day. What are you thankful for? Where did you see God at work? What do you lament? What do you need to confess?

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 23 (ESV) out loud:

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Part III: Reflecting on Psalm 23, pray your own psalm of trust:

“Lord, you are my…

“I depend on you to…

“Without you, I am…

“Even when…, I trust you.

“I am confident that you will… 

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to these versions of Psalm 23 set to music…

From the album Show Me What It Means (2021) by Land of Color. landofcolormusic.com

From the album “Songs for the Journey, Vol 3” (2019) by the Shiyr Poets. theshiyrpoets.com

From the album Psalm Songs Vol I (2015), by The Corner Room. cornerroommusic.com

From the album All Things New (2014) by Rivers & Robots. riversandrobots.com

For links to individual guides for more than one hundred different psalms click here.

For more on the Psalms:

Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms.

For a list of psalms by literary style (genre) click here.

For an introduction to the narrative arc of the psalms, see Spirituality of the Psalms, by Walter Brueggemann.

Psalm 94 - A Psalm of Lament (Disorientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try this three-part rhythm for pausing in the midst of your days for prayer:

Part I: Become present to the presence of God.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:10-11

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any distractions you are carrying into this moment. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) before God.

Part II: Slowly read from Psalm 94:1-11 (NIV)

1 The Lord is a God who avenges.

    O God who avenges, shine forth.
2 Rise up, Judge of the earth;
    pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3 How long, Lord, will the wicked,
    how long will the wicked be jubilant?

4 They pour out arrogant words;
    all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush your people, Lord;
    they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the foreigner;
    they murder the fatherless.
7 They say, “The Lord does not see;
    the God of Jacob takes no notice.”

8 Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;
    you fools, when will you become wise?
9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
    Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
    Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11 The Lord knows all human plans;
    he knows that they are futile.

Part III: Pray your own lament psalm- for yourself, or on behalf of someone who is suffering in your world.

• Describe the trouble in detail to God.

• Express your honest emotions: "Lord, I am feeling sad about…; "… angry…;  “… afraid…

• Bring him your honest questions: "Lord, why….?;  "How long, Lord, before you…?; "Where are you in…?

• Make your plea to God:   "Please, Lord…; "Remember back when you…; Do it again, Lord!”

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 94 set to music…

From the album Refuge (2014) by Sons of Korah. sonsofkorah.com

For links to individual guides for more than one hundred different psalms click here.

For more on the Psalms:

Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms.

For a list of psalms by literary style (genre) click here.

For an introduction to the narrative arc of the psalms, see Spirituality of the Psalms, by Walter Brueggemann.

Psalm 150 - A Psalm of Praise (Orientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try beginning your prayer with praise, using this three-part rhythm.

Part I: Become present to the presence of God:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Ps 90:14)

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any burdens you are carrying into this new day. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) into the presence of God.

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 150 (NIV) out loud:

1 Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heaven!
2 Praise him for his mighty works;
    praise his unequaled greatness!
3 Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn; praise him with the lyre and harp!
4 Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes!

5 Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
    praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 150 back to God:

“Lord God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit- I praise you, for who you are…

“I praise you for what you have done. Specifically, I thank you for…

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 150 set to music…

From the album Live From Sing ’21 (2021) by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Papa, Matt Boswell

For links to individual guides for more than one hundred different psalms click here.

For more on the Psalms:

Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms.

For a list of psalms by literary style (genre) click here.

For an introduction to the narrative arc of the psalms, see Spirituality of the Psalms, by Walter Brueggemann.