In this Lenten Season that will be transforming into the Easter season, I am intentionally lifting up of the art of writing in connection to prayer. In a world in which much happens on keys under our finger tips, I thought I would spend some of my Lenten discipline on communicating through writing, which seems to be a lost art. Especially since I am starting at the beginning again as our oldest daughter learns how to write for the first time in school.
Our congregation has graciously accompanied me in some ways by participating in writing down prayers weekly in worship. Would those original Norwegians ever dream that a Lenten discipline would be about writing down prayers…and in strange ways?
It is an intentional practice to write, even more so now. It takes longer to write than to type. It also does something to our brain. We remember more. It is also freeing. The same is true for praying. It takes time to talk to God. But it does something to our brain. We are more connected, we are also freed of burdens that weigh us down. Writing and praying are good spiritual practices. Yet people are hesitant to pray because they don’t know what to say, or it feels weird to have a seemingly one way relationship. There are a variety of reasons we don’t pray. There are a variety of reasons we don’t write as much as we used to as well.
But think about Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as the key to every relationship, not just our relationship with God. With those people whom we wish to have a close relationship with, we have the same discipline. Yet it doesn’t feel like a discipline, but a need fulfilled and joy experienced. We want to communicate as often as possible with those people we care about the most (ie. Prayer). We give up certain things in order to be in relationship with them (think of everything you give up for the sake of your children…ie. Fasting). We want to do anything possible for the sake of the other (ie. Almsgiving).
So as you transition from Lent into Easter, celebrate the God-like relationships you have. Also think about writing as a transformational practice. Not just writing prayers, but writing in general. For your emotional and spiritual health.
