Introduction to Lenten Devotionals

“GOD IS ALWAYS calling us! But there are distinctive moments in this call, moments which leave a permanent mark on us — moments which we never forget.” - Carlo Carretto, Letters from the Desert

  About the time, I was in seminary in the mid 1970’s, I discovered for myself the significance of the Lenten season. Lent opened up for me a vigorous period of spiritual growth and formation. A time when I could journey to the cross and join together with the whole church, past and present, in being a witness to Jesus’ resurrection. In the late 90’s, I started to share this journey with the congregations I served by developing a Lenten Prayer and Devotional Guide. (Early editions were hard copy printed booklets and have now evolved into an internet based edition, i.e., blog and e-mail)

  This year I decided to base the Daily Lenten Devotionals on the Westminster Shorter Catechism. A hallmark of Presbyterian heritage has been educational ministries and the Book of Confessions (particularly the catechism) were created to instruction us. We need instruction in the faith, because faith is not just a matter of the heart and soul; it is also a concern of the mind. "Speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ" (Ephesians 4:15).

  The Second Helvetic Confession states that "the pastors of the churches act most wisely when they early and carefully catechize the youth, laying the first grounds of faith, and faithfully teaching the rudiments of our religion by expounding the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the doctrine of the sacraments, with other such principles and chief heads of our religion." (Book of Confessions, 5.233)

  The catechisms in our Book of Confessions (the Heidelberg and the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms) were written, in part, as teaching tools. The question-and-answer format helps students to learn the common elements of faith according to the Reformed tradition. When I was a youth in the Tower Presbyterian Church in Grove City where I grew up, we studied and memorized the 107 questions and answers of the Westminster Shorter Catechism during Sunday school. Many Presbyterians over the age of 50 can still cite at least the first question: "What is the chief end of man?

  Lent seems an appropriate time for us to remind ourselves of our basic beliefs, as disciples of Christ within the reformed tradition. I have selected 47 of 107 questions and answers of the catechism in this devotional. My hope is that you will take some time to read some of the other confessions and catechisms of the church. You can download a PDF file of the Book of Confessions from the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.) web site.

  This Lent I want to challenge you take the time to dedicate yourselves to experiencing the spiritual enrichment of the entire Lenten journey. To stir-up our desire for a relationship with God, we need to begin by listening as God tells us, "You are precious in my eyes and I love you." [Isaiah 43:4] Through these Daily Lenten Devotionals, I hope you will be stimulated to think about the church, our traditions and beliefs, your involvement, your prayers and our desire to discern God’s will as the body of Christ.

  Also don’t keep what you read, pray, think and experience a secret (at least not all of it). Share your thoughts and ideas about the daily selections with others and pray for the future ministry and mission of our church and our life together as the Body of Christ. Use this time of Lent to give God the opportunity to speak to your heart and life in some unique and surprising ways.

NOTE: Each daily devotional has a list of Lectionary Readings for the day, but these scripture readings are not directly related to the subject of the daily devotional text.

Suggestions for Using these Devotions

1. Set aside time each day to read the selection for the day, time to think about it and time to pray.

2. Give yourself time to sit quietly and simply rest in the presence of God. Give God the opportunity to speak to your heart. Listen for God’s still small voice within your prayers.

3. We all know at least five individuals who do not know Christ and/or have no church home of their own. Write those names on a note card and make a point to pray for these individuals daily. Consider sharing with them a link to this blog in an e-mail message and invite them to attend worship with you. Pray that God might use you as a witness in their lives. 

4. Pray for all those you know who are sick, ill, injured, lost or having any problems in their lives.

5. Keep a prayer journal and record all the people and things, which have been the subject of your prayers and record God’s response to those prayers.

6. Pray for the all ruling elders on the Session, whom we have selected to lead this congregation. Pray that God will empower them as spiritual leaders for this congregation. Pray that God will give them vision, knowledge and purpose as they do their work for the mission and ministry of the church in the twenty-first century.

7. And lastly pray for the pastor, I sure could use them. Pray that God will make me a better preacher, a better teacher, and better pastor to all I meet, giving Glory to God in all that I do.

Scripture quotes used in this year’s 2014 Daily Lenten Devotionals are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, unless otherwise stated. "New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved."