ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the tradition of “Lent.” For many centuries, churches in the Western Hemisphere have practiced Lent as a season of intentional fasting, reflection, and preparation for Easter (Resurrection Sunday). Sometime around the 7th century, Western Church leaders wanted the Lenten experience to include a full forty days of fasting to replicate the pattern of forty days found in various biblical accounts such as forty days and nights of flood in Genesis, forty years wandering after the Exodus, and forty days of Jesus’ journey through the wilderness. Ash Wednesday offered a tactile way to enter into the solemn season.
The ashes of Ash Wednesday, which serve as the starting marker of this season, are traditionally made from palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations to signify death, repentance, the darkness of the world, and our mortality as human beings. They offer a tangible focus on the limitations of life and a physical marker of our participation in God’s work in the world. Ash Wednesday is a solemn day often marked by confession and repentance. It is a day where we grieve the difficulty of the world, reflect and admit the disconnect between who we are and who God calls us to be, and commit to living into who we are in Christ so as to build the best world possible. It’s also a day to reflect on our own frailty and limitations.
This year, during Lent, the Foundry will study the Book of Numbers. This OT book is ripe with stories that point us to both God’s character and our character - as well as our human frailty and limitations. The stories of Numbers are lessons from the desert seasons of the life of Israel. The desert is a place of scarcity. It’s a place where the conditions quickly point us to both our own limitations - but also to our interdependence. As we study the time in the desert recorded in the book of Numbers, we’ll reflect on God’s character, our sins and difficulties, and God’s willingness to walk with us through difficult seasons where going back to our old ways seems easier. Then, we’ll celebrate the remedy we find in the love of Jesus.
Today, we’ll begin this journey with six prayer stations that are inspired by the first ten chapters of the Book of Numbers, which is the book of the Bible we’ll reflect upon during our Lenten journey as a church.
Take as much time as you need on each section, and try not to rush these stations and movements.
As You enter this time of prayer:
Try to find a quiet place for a few moments of focus. Consider playing reflective or worshipful music (if you need a music suggestion, click the button below for music we think works well here), or take a walk in your neighborhood or in a place that is meaningful to you, which will help clear out outside distractions. If you’re at home, Consider lighting candles to remind you of God’s presence in the desert places you are in today.
Begin with 2 minutes of stillness or silence
QUICK Tip: When we are silent, our minds will get distracted. That’s okay. Before beginning your time in silence, take a deep breath and use the name “Jesus” or a phrase like “Here I am” whenever you find yourself thinking about something else. The goal of this kind of prayer is to be present in the presence of God, not seeking anything.
Before You Begin, Read How Numbers Begins:
Following a time of slavery in Egypt, the people of Israel were brought to Mount Sinai – where God made a covenant with them. Here at Mt Sinai - God’s presence would live amongst them. Because of God’s presence amongst them, the people of Israel should order their lives around God’s presence. This time would make a season of reset before setting out for the “promised land.”
The first four chapters of the Book of Numbers begin with a census and the ordering of tribal Campsites at Mount Sinai. While Much could be said here, these details are meant to be an elaborate symbol of God’s presence at the center of the Israelites’ rhythms – and a way to count the blessings of how God has delivered Israel from slavery.
STATION 1
Taking Time to “Count” the Blessings of God.
There’s no need to take a census like we find in Numbers 1-4, but let’s take a few minutes to list out in gratitude where you have seen the work of God in and around your life? What are you thankful for? Who are you thankful for? Make a list of everything that comes to mind - no matter how big or small it feels. Don’t rush through this portion.
Once completed, take a moment to speak these things out loud.
STATION 2
Adoring the Character of God
At Mount Sinai - the campsites were to be ordered to surround and orbit the central tabernacle.
The tabernacle was the place where God’s presence was dwelling. It was to be in the center of the camp. This organization was a way of saying, “God’s character and presence is the center of our life, healing, and flourishing.”
The Tabernacle is embodied by God’s presence - but it is also the embodiment of God’s holiness. We often love to consider and hope for God’s presence - but we often do so without fully considering the implications of God’s holiness as we consider God’s presence.
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."
“It is impossible to keep our moral practices sound and our inward attitudes right while our idea of God is erroneous or inadequate. If we would bring back spiritual power to our lives, we must begin to think of God more nearly as God is.”
- A.W. Tozer
In prayer, Take a few moments to adore God for who God is - to share any other characteristics of God that stand out to you today as praiseworthy. Some may come immediately to mind; others may take a moment to consider. Take a few extra moments to think about the facets of God’s character that may not just immediately arrive in your mind.
If you need help thinking about God’s character, read the words of Psalm 62 to help you.
Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
How long will you assault me?
Would all of you throw me down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
Surely they intend to topple me
from my lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
Do not trust in extortion
or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
One thing God has spoken,
two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,
and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone
according to what they have done.
STATION 3
Aligning to the Way of God as Central
When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils. 2 Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings. 3 They brought as their gifts before the Lord six covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle.
- Numbers 7:1-3
In light of God’s presence and character, the gifts and belongings of Israel were brought before God as a “first fruit” offering - a way to say, “God, your way, your kingdom, your presence, comes first.” We will often hear people, maybe ourselves, saying, “God comes first,” but in our life, we will often allow other things to move to the center of our energy and focus.
Take some time to consider the following:
(Keep in mind that not everything that will come to mind is inherently “bad.” But, it may be out of order or causing you a level of anxiety and stress that is harming you or others around you. Or, it may not be going poorly right now - but you have the feeling that it could in the future if left unchecked.)
What does reflecting on God’s character reveal to you about your own limitations, shortcomings, and sins?
Consider the “order” of your camp, and what feels “consecrated?”
What is central to you?
What REALLY seems to come first? (look at time spent, money spent, talents directed)
What concerns feel like they occupy most of your thoughts? Consider your thought life, your worries, your pressures and struggles?
Where do you feel the most pressure or burden?
What affections or attachments are core?
The goal here is NOT to feel overwhelming shame but to confront our reality and ask God for help.
After doing so, pray something like this: “God, help me to see my sins and shortcomings, but help me see how your grace and mercy is even greater than these things!”
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: If you have the ability to impose ashes, this station is great one to do so. If not, Consider marking an X with a marker or sharpie on your hand as you bring these things before God.
STATION 4
Reordering our Relational Lives to the Way of God
After commanding the Israelites to order their camps, there is a re-statement of the laws Israel was to follow in creating flourishing in their community. The idea was that God's presence in the community should change how these people treated one another. Israel was to reflect to one another, to their neighbors, the realities of God’s transforming presence. These laws often exposed to Israel their sin and shortcomings.
Take some time to consider the following:
Is there anybody you have brought harm or exploitation to (whether intentional or not) for whom you need to seek forgiveness?
Are you holding grudges, bitterness, or unforgiveness toward someone who has harmed you (even unintentionally)? Bring these burdens to God and ask God to help you carry these emotions.
Are there relationships you’ve elevated to an unhealthy place of attachment (for them or for you)?
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: As these names come to mind, light a candle and pray for these situations by name.
STATION 5
Words of Blessing
Consider the power of these words of Aaron, Moses’ brother.
Consider the power of having these words spoken over you.
“Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turns his face toward you
and give you peace.”
- Numbers 6:23-26
-
Take some time to consider the following:
Are there people who come to mind to “bless” right now? How might you bless them?
Consider who in your comings and goings is overlooked or oppressed?
Lift people up as God brings names to mind. If you’re unsure what to pray, simply lift their name to God, trusting God knows what they need.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: If time allows, use a card to write a note of appreciation or blessing. If you don’t have time or need more time to think, plan to set an alarm and do so at a later time. If it’s not appropriate or possible to send your note to the person, simply pray for them.
STATION 6
Asking God for Help
God told the Israelites to begin the journey to the promised land. But God let them know they would not be going alone. God would be leading the people of God by cloud. As we receive your limitations, the uncertainty of the future can loom large in our minds - Is God going to go with us? Are we going to be ok? What about things happening around me in 2024?
If you have incense, light it as a symbol of God’s presence in the cloud. (An oil diffuser or candle could work if you don’t have incense.) Watch the smoke or mist rise for a few seconds and let it serve as a tangible reminder of God’s guiding hand in our lives.
As you light the incense, read these passages.
On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order and did not set out. Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.
- Numbers 9:15-23
On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle of the covenant law. Then the Israelites set out from the Desert of Sinai and traveled from place to place until the cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran. They set out, this first time, at the Lord’s command through Moses.
The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.
- Numbers 10:11-13
Whenever the ark set out, Moses said,
“Rise up, Lord!
May your enemies be scattered;
may your foes flee before you.”
Whenever it came to rest, he said,
“Return, Lord,
to the countless thousands of Israel.”
Take a few minutes to ask God for help in areas where you need to be led, or where you need to slow down? Ask God for guidance and clarity, while thanking God for the gift of presence in your life.
- Numbers 10:34-36
End your time with 2 minutes of silence