Lent and rhythm of prayer

I'm ashamed that it has been so long since I've posted here. That reflects a lack of commitment to a discipline of grace. What has God been doing in me that I have missed writing about?

I've started developing a rhythm of prayer using the liturgy of the hours. I found a used edition of Vol II. It starts at lent time, but I have been using the psalmody the past few days. At first, it was more an academic exercise than prayer, but as time goes on the psalms connected with the times of day have been a comfort and joy. Praying that the light would shine in the morning and that waking or sleeping God would watch over me at night. When I feel anxious the psalms have expressed my fears as well as my highest aspirations.

I went over to Ray Orth's house before I started. He helped me understand how to use the book, and excited me deeply with stories about how his own interactions with the psalms and liturgy affected his long ministry.

One of the anxieties I've struggle with since last night has been helped by this practice of prayer. Last night I was at a parishioner's house. She expressed concern that we were participating in the community Lenten services.

"All the years I have been in the Assemblies of God we have never celebrated lent."

I tried to explain to her that lent isn't wrong and that we would not be leaving the Assemblies of God because of the influence of the community churches (apparently a very real fear). The A/G church in Bay City left the assemblies a few years back but that was because of isolation and doctrinal issues. This is the exact opposite. By participating in the community we establish our distinctiveness. We need each other for discipleship. We can offer the main liners a sense of the imminence of God and the work of the Spirit. They offer us a sense of social justice, a love for the word, a connection to a rich history. We need each other, that doesn't mean we are reduced, rather we should hold our distinctiveness high, and strive for all orthodoxy. As Chesterton describes it-following all truths to their extremes at the same time, there by being balanced.

Ah sovereign Lord, grant me peace and strength. Help me deal with this underlying anxiety that the rest of the A/G wouldn't understand my mystical bent, or my desire to explore faith from every tradition, that I would be looked down upon on worse. You are my hearts desire and yearning, that is all. Protect me my father.