Marlene Kropf lives in Albany, Oregon. She is a spiritual director, ordained minister and Professor Emerita of Spiritual Formation and Worship at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. She also served for more than 20 years as Mennonite Church Minister of Worship and Spirituality. With Daniel Schrock, she is co-editor of “An Open Place: The Ministry of Group Spiritual Direction” (Morehouse Publishing, 2012). She and her husband, Stanley, attend Albany Mennonite Church.
This blog is part of a series by the Mennonite Spiritual Directors Network, a collaborative learning community from the Anabaptist Mennonite faith tradition committed to the contemplative ministry of spiritual direction.
Some of us are struck with paralysis when the world around us falls apart. Others spring into action, determined to set things right. Neither is the path of Jesus.
Although there was plenty of chaos during the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry — violent overthrows, exploitation of the weak and poor, and every kind of injustice, Jesus did not step immediately into the fray to bring relief.
Instead, the trajectory for Jesus’ ministry was set by his 40-day retreat in the desert, a pause for silence, listening and reflection in which he sought God’s guidance for his life. Only then did he begin his itinerant ministry of proclaiming and embodying the Kingdom of God. Throughout his ministry, he continued the practice of spending time in prayer to nourish his relationship with God.
The church’s analogue to Jesus’ 40 days in the desert is the season of Lent, a 40-day invitation to return to our roots, seek God’s face and listen to the call of God’s Spirit. Lent is a season for setting aside the urgent demands of daily business to pause and be replenished in the faith that will sustain us in the chaos of daily living.
A “Lenten Quiet Morning” in our churches can be one way to make space for prayerful reflection and renewal that will invigorate our witness in the world.
Sample outline for a Lenten Quiet Morning
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9 a.m. | Gathering for introductions and tea, coffee, juice |
| 9:15 a.m. | Brief opening worship, including scripture and introduction of a prayer-song that will be repeated throughout the Quiet Morning (for example, Voices Together #701 “You are all we have”) |
| 9:30 a.m. | Introduction to first theme of the Lenten Quiet Morning (This could be a reflection on a psalm, such as Psalms 130 or 143, which focuses on our longing for God.) |
| 9:45 a.m. | Space for silent reflection |
| 10:15 a.m. | Tea, coffee, juice break |
| 10:30 a.m. | Introduction to second theme of the Lenten Quiet Morning (This could be a reflection on a Gospel passage, such as the story of Jesus stilling the storm.) |
| 10:45 a.m. | Space for silent reflection |
| 11:15 a.m. | Gathering for shared reflections (first in small table groups and then in the larger group): How has the Spirit spoken in the silence? What guidance have we heard? |
| 11:45 a.m. | Brief closing worship |
| 12 noon | End of Quiet Morning |
More tips for leaders
- To create a spirit of hospitality, prepare a simple visual worship center with art, candles or other symbols to welcome participants.
- During the introduction to each space of silent reflection, suggest a way of praying that encourages people to engage the texts with their whole selves. For example, participants can be encouraged to re-write a psalm in their own words, or they can imagine themselves being present in a Gospel story.
- Art supplies, such as colored pens or pencils and paper, can encourage participants to connect with scripture with their minds, bodies and spirits.
- A small collection of poetry related to the overall theme can also stimulate deeper reflection and prayer.