Lord teach us to pray!

Our life of prayer, both as individuals and as a congregation, is our theme this year for the season of Lent. Our midweek schedule reflects a desire to spend more intentional time learning about and practicing more intentionally this important spiritual discipline.

As before, several activities will help focus our attention on the theme for the season. 

Prayer Fellowship

The WOW Bible Study will be hosting a time of fellowship each Wednesday evening, featuring a short time of teaching on prayer and spending a bit of time “practicing” together. A light soup supper at 5:15 pm or so will be followed by a short time of prayer, collecting the prayer requests of those who are gathered.  

The group will move to the sanctuary for the liturgy of Evening Prayer at 6:20 pm or so.

Midweek Evening Prayer

The liturgy of Evening Prayer begins at 6:30 pm each Wednesday evening. The liturgy includes several important opportunities for prayer:

1. The Service of Light begins the service, drawing our attention to Jesus Christ, THE light of the world.
2. Psalm 51 is added to worship for the season of Lent, calling God’s people to repentance while speaking a word of promise.
3. Lessons and a homily build on the unique theme each week.
4. A beautiful litany gathers the prayers of the people and presents them to God.
5. An Evening Prayer, in the form of a new song, asks for the Lord’s blessing on our time of rest and sends us out for the evening.

Prayer Journal

During the season everyone, including worshippers and school students, will be encouraged to keep a Prayer Journal, recording that for which they are praying and a bit of how they see God’s good and gracious will being accomplished. A few copies are still available for your use. Pick one up the next time you are at worship.

Prayer Retreat

On Sunday, April 16, St. John’s leaders will host a brief Prayer Retreat. Following a light brunch at 11 am, participants will take 90 minutes or so to reflect on what they have learned throughout the season and once again pray together as God’s people.

Plans for the retreat are developing and may include presentations by special guests and SJLC members and leaders.