O Lord, you have searched me and known me!You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139:1-6
Breath Prayer
Inhale: You know me completely
Exhale: You love me perfectly
All of us were created with a God-shaped hole in our hearts
"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."— Augustine of Hippo
Sin distorts our desire
"The psychological, neurological, and spiritual dynamics of full-fledged addiction are actively at work within every human being. All people are addicts. Addictions to alcohol and other drugs are simply more obvious and tragic addictions than others. To be alive is to be addicted and to be addicted is to stand in the need of grace."
— Gerald May
Addiction: Any compulsive, habitual behavior that limits the freedom of human desire
An attraction addiction: A compulsive attachment to something we believe will give us pleasure, relief, meaning, or control—something we move toward because it promises life.
An aversion addiction: A compulsive attachment to avoiding something we fear, hate, or cannot tolerate—something we move away from in order to feel safe.
The key to addiction is to surrender to grace
Ways to engage in Lent
- Engage up through prayer
- Engage in through fasting
- Engage out through giving
Reflection
Where is God inviting you to intentionally lean in spiritually during Lent?
- Engaging UP in prayer?
- Engaging IN through fasting?
- Engaging OUT through giving or service?
Prayer of Repentance
Most merciful, God,
We confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of Your name.
Amen.
