St. Ignatius throughout the Spiritual Exercises suggests that we prepare ourselves before we enter into the specific exercise. He suggests preparing the night before: “After retiring, just before falling asleep, for the space of a Hail Mary, I will think of the hour when I have to rise, and why I am rising, and briefly sum up the exercise I have to go through” (Puhl SE #73).
The preparation before prayer is important. It allows us to physically carve out space in our day for prayer, and it allows our minds to be mentally ready for prayer. As Lent approaches, the same idea of preparation that St. Ignatius suggests can be helpful in our preparation for Lent.
- Have we physically set aside a prayer space for our Lenten journey?
- What time of day will we pray during Lent?
- What are the “exercises” or prayer methods we will be using during Lent?
In our preparatory prayer during the Spiritual Exercises, we pray for specific graces. What is the grace we desire to deepen within us during Lent?
- To deepen our understanding of Jesus’ passion?
- To walk with Jesus through his passion and resurrection?
- To work on overcoming a temptation that keeps us from fully entering into life with Christ?
- To foster a new spiritual practice to ignite or inflame our relationship with Jesus?
In these last few days before Lent begins, I invite us to begin our preparatory prayer. We can turn to Jesus and ask, “What is the grace you desire to deepen within me over these next 40 days?”
Look for more of Becky’s writings at her blog, BeckyEldredge.com.
Becky Eldredge
Latest posts by Becky Eldredge (see all)
- Young Adults Hunger for People to Journey with Them - April 25, 2013
- New Life in Front of Me - April 9, 2013
- Jesus Enters Jerusalem: An End and a Beginning - March 22, 2013
Sign up for dotMagis updates in an RSS reader
Sign up for dotMagis updates by e-mail
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Becky, as always you have the right words to set a challenge before me. Thank you for this challenge to prepare for Lent rather than just jumping in.
Great post, Becky, for all of us at any stage of relationship with the good Lord.
This is excellent.
(I thought I posted that yesterday, but I guess not.)
Thank you for this great post that will help me get ready for the Ignatian Adventure