A Song of Ascent
Prayer Focus: The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which this year is March 5. Lent is a season of prayer and preparation for the celebration of Easter, and, modeled on Jesus’ fasting during his 40 days in the wilderness before he begins his public ministry, has often included fasting or “giving something up.” For Lent this year, if you give something up, we hope it provides time and space so that you might embrace the ancient practice of praying the psalms and in particular the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). These psalms were used by pilgrims as they made their way to Jerusalem for festivals such as Passover. So, it is likely that Jesus would have prayed these psalms on his way to Jerusalem, knowing that arrest and death awaited him. As we journey with him toward the cross and resurrection that awaits, we join him in praying these psalms.
One of our guides on this spiritual journey with the Psalms of Ascent will be Eugene Peterson and his book of meditations on the Songs of Ascent: “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society.” Many days on this Lenten journey Peterson’s words will encourage us to deeper reflection and prayer. And so to begin:
“We continue to identify with the first disciples, who “set out for Jerusalem. Jesus had a head start on them, and they were following, puzzled and not just a little afraid (Mark 10:32). We are also puzzled and a little afraid, for there is wonder upon unexpected wonder on this road, and there are fearful specters to be met. Singing the fifteen psalms is a way both to express the amazing grace and to quiet the anxious fears.” Peterson, 13.
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