“From dust you came…

Posted on February 25, 2009 by elizabeth

…and to dust you shall return."

The ashes are imposed on my forehead, the words inscribed on my heart. It's Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

I've thought about what I should give up for Lent this year. I've prayed about it. The answer came slowly.

Secular music.

It's not the answer I wanted. I wanted to give up something less painful!

But there it was. An unchanging answer and it makes sense, really. After all, I've been trying to incorporate more prayer into my daily life. But I've been struggling. My mind is so noisy. It doesn't help that I've developed a fondness for rap. Yes, rap. And R&B. With a little Old School thrown in for good measure.

It's great music, actually. But I've grown a little too attached. In other words, I feel like I need it. That's what concerns me. Music fills a need that I want filled through prayer. I've decided to do a reckless experiment this Lent and see if emptying my mind of secular music creates a calmer, more peaceful mind that is able to focus on prayer.

One thing I've discovered is that prayer is a discipline much like running or weight lifting. It takes repetition and endurance to yield results. I have a sneaking suspicion that music is hindering me from achieving an efficacious prayer life.

Maybe it's just me but waking up with Tupac rapping through my mind is NOT compatible with getting on my knees to pray!

Last year I began a very half-baked effort at adding more prayer into my daily life. This meant I said The Lord's Prayer several times through out my day. Nothing fancy, nothing deep. But I was surprised to discover how much it helped me. One tangible result was that I worried less.

I've kept this up, adding in other prayers and praying bits of Scripture each day. And now I'm cutting out music.

I can't wait to see what happens!

What are you giving up for Lent? Do you have any other pro-prayer tips to add? Please share.

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  • http://www.heidijowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com Heidi Jo

    well, secular music has been a thing of the past for me for quite a while now, simply because we have the BEST christian radio station on the planet here.

    i am giving up the tube again, although with the crap on it, it’s not much of a sacrifice now is it!? but believe me walking on the treadmill without the distraction of television or music (only because i have no iPod and no stereo where my treadmill is), prayer is the only and best option. funny how quickly time goes when you start praying specifics for your kids!

  • http://jasminlovescoffee.blogspot.com Jasmin

    Great post! I went to get my ashes yesterday as well. For Lent, I am giving up all meat and sweets (I have a huge sweet tooth and have something sweet daily, so I figured this was a good thing to do). My mom’s orthodox and always gives up all meat and diary products during Lent so I thought it would be a good sacrifice for me to do as well. Good luck with the music! I can relate; I love rap and hiphop. :)

  • http://crenshawfamilyblog.wordpress.com Erin

    Okay, you don’t even know me, but I found your blog from another persons! I loved reading this, and I gotta tell you since you love rap that we know an INCREDIBLE Christian rap artist…I know what you are thinking…”how cheezy,” BUT, you need to just check him out! His latest album was actually top-something on the secular rap (or maybe R&B) list. It is called “Rebel.” You will be glad you discovered him!

  • http://churchyear.blogspot.com Jessica Snell

    Hi Elizabeth – I’m hosting a Lenten blog carnival next week, and I’d love to link to this post in it if it’s okay with you. Would you send me a line if that’s okay? Thanks! -Jessica

  • http://crenshawfamilyblog.wordpress.com Erin

    So sorry! I completely forgot to say that AWESOME rap artist’s name! It is LeCrae. Go check him out!

  • http://www.gladdentheheart.blogspot.com Charlotte

    I’m giving up spending money (well, as much money). I won’t be buying anything from target, old navy, amazon, or iTunes. i’m also sticking to have a grocery budget of $125 per week (which is good for us).

    my husband found this on john piper’s web site. we are going to do it this year. http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/2007/2033_Lenten_Lights/

    regarding prayer–for the past several months i’ve been listening to the morning prayers at http://www.divineoffice.org

    there is a hymn, readings of some Psalms, and prayer. it has become something that i long for & i miss it if for some reason i don’t listen.

  • Meg60

    Something I’ve starting doing is using a few short liturgical prayers during the day, mostly adapted from the Book of Common Prayer. When I wake up, still in bed – or as soon thereafter as circumstances allow: “Lord, as I awake and day begins, waken me to your indwelling presence.” (Adapted from Eric Milner-White). Good throughout the day, too.
    ~~
    Later, for the day: “Lord, help me to remember that, having been justified through faith, I have peace with God through Jesus, and because of Him I have access into this grace wherein I stand. God of hope, fill me with all joy and peace in believing, that I may abound in hope through the power of your Holy Spirit, and so keep temperate in all things and diligent in my several callings. Grant me patience in afflictions, grace to be just and upright in all my dealings, and full of compassion.”
    ~~
    For anxieties: “Father, you’ve taught us to give thanks in all things and to cast all our care upon you, who cares for us. Preserve me from faithless fears and worldly anxieties. Grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide your grace and love from me, for Jesus’ sake.” This one is good before going to bed, too.
    ~~
    For feeling overwhelmed: “Almighty and everlasting God—who of your great mercy saved Noah and his family in the ark from perishing in the flood—help me to be steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in charity, and so [i.e. "so" as in "in such a manner", not as in "therefore"] pass through the waves of this troublesome world to the land of everlasting life.” I love this thought of “just passin’ through”.