Walking with Jesus through lent
The African way of praying Scripture will be one of the methods offered in a study guide for Lent 2010, Walking with Jesus through Lent, which is again being written by Melbourne Anglicans co-ordinated by Archbishop Freier’s Calling Melbourne2Prayer working group.
The African method was used at last year’s Lambeth Conference, where times sharing together around scripture were described by one participant as ‘the life giving force of the conference’. The traditional Benedictine method of Lectio Divina, together with the Ignatian and Puritan methods of meditation on Scripture, are also described in a new leader’s guide to accompany the 2010 study guide.
In response to feedback from parishes, the guide will also contain suggestions for groups who are new to praying Scripture. There will be a method that moves from Bible study to praying Scripture, and ideas for tuning in to the presence of God. “I am also writing some Confessions of a Sub-Prime Meditator,” says Archdeacon Alison Taylor, “as unfortunately, it is normal to be distracted in prayer.”
Based on the Year C Gospel readings, Walking with Jesus through Lent will offer weekly studies in Lent and reflections for Holy Week. A companion booklet, Walking with the Prophets through Lent, gives brief texts from the Old Testament for daily personal prayer, beginning on Ash Wednesday. The Revd Jill Firth, who is editing the booklets, is enthusiastic about the new studies. “The daily reflections on the prophets look especially challenging this year.”
Archbishop Freier said he was delighted that for a third year running Melbourne Anglicans had produced such a rich spiritual resource for the Diocese and beyond. “It is a great blessing to the Church to have such prayer and study materials available that deepen our engagement with the Scriptures during Lent, and which help us prepare in a focussed way for the events of the great three days of Easter.
“Each year has seen this free, online resource being used by more people in the Diocese of Melbourne and elsewhere,” he said.
The three resources for Lent 2010 will be available for download from the Melbourne Anglican website in mid November.
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