As you may have seen last week,  for Lent this year, I'm choosing to pray each morning using an App called "Lectio 365."  Lectio 365 was developed by the people from the 24/7 Prayer Movement, which was influential to Simple Churches in our early days (Have you ever read Red Moon Rising? If not, why not!?!). 365 is a phone-based app that leads the listener through daily prayer and reflection - it's absolutely excellent.

This year, the readings are based on the scriptures and the stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers from the early church. If you'd like to learn more, here's a short video that provides some background.  

What's Next?

1. Unless you have another plan (which is great, stick with that!), would you consider joining me by praying along with Lectio 365 for the season of Lent?

2. If you decide to do so, download the app at this link. You will need to do so from your phone. 

3. If so inclined, let me know you are praying by responding to this email. I'd love to pray for you as I also pray in the mornings. 

February 18th is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the day the Church begins its annual pilgrimage to the cross. For the uninitiated, I like how upperroom.org describes what Lent is all about:

It's the forty days before Easter. Lent excludes Sundays because every Sunday is like a little Easter. Basically, it's about one-tenth of a year (like a tithe of time).... [it's] a season of the Christian Year where Christians focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God.

That's good. In its simplest form, Lent is a season where the Church quiets itself as it prepares to celebrate the death and resurrection of the Lord.  It's a time where we willingly enter into the sufferings of Christ.

So, How Do You Celebrate Lent? 

Here's something Andy wrote in 2015 about the meaning of Ash Wednesday. It still holds up - apart from the dated Twitter references ;)