Practices for Paying Attention to God
Through The Journey and A Way of Life processes, many have experienced what it’s like to be given a template for our energy toward God to wrap itself around—a shared rhythm of weekly gatherings, Scripture, prayer, reflection, and honest conversation. Over time, these practices become a kind of scaffolding for our longings: a way to channel our desire to know God, live attentively, and participate more faithfully in what God is already doing in our lives and communities.
As Dallas Willard once described it, this kind of formation becomes a curriculum for Christlikeness—not something rigid, but a simple structure that supports who we are becoming.
Spiritual director Adele Ahlberg Calhoun reminds us that a rule of life is “a simple statement of the regular rhythms we choose in order to present our bodies to God as our ‘spiritual act of worship.’” These rhythms aren’t burdensome checklists. They’re realistic, life-giving practices that keep our lives from drifting into unintended chaos and help us partner with God in the transformation only He can bring.
With Lent inviting us again to slow down and pay attention, Keith Anderson offers a thoughtful reflection on crafting a Lenten rule of life—one shaped not by striving, but by fasting, prayer, and generosity as gentle ways of becoming more present to God.
A rule of life is not a set of rigid commands, but a gentle trellis—a structure that supports growth, honesty, and grace.
1. Fasting — Making Space by Letting Go
What this practice forms in us
Fasting is the intentional laying aside of something good—not to punish ourselves, but to create room for God. In Lent, fasting trains our desires. It helps us notice how quickly we reach for substitutes for God and gently redirects our hunger toward deeper dependence and attentiveness.
Fasting is not primarily about food; it is about freedom—freedom from compulsions, habits, and distractions that quietly shape us.
Rule of life: how I will practice fasting
- What I will fast from:
- When / how often:
- My prayer of intention:
“Lord, teach me what I truly hunger for.”
Simple steps
- Discern what to fast from—something that genuinely shapes your daily rhythms (food, media, alcohol, shopping, noise, speed).
- Set clear boundaries—decide when, how often, and for how long.
- Name your intention—pair the fast with a prayer.
- Replace, don’t just remove—pause for prayer, Scripture, or silence.
- Reflect regularly—notice what surfaces and bring it to God.
Example
A person chooses to fast from social media during Lent. Each time they instinctively reach for their phone, they stop and pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly. Over time, they notice restlessness, then relief—and eventually a deeper awareness of how often they seek affirmation rather than presence.
Sources for reflection
- A Long Obedience in the Same Direction – Eugene Peterson
- Celebration of Discipline – Richard Foster
2. Prayer — Practicing Presence
What this practice forms in us
Prayer in Lent is not about saying more words but about becoming more available. It is learning to remain with God honestly—without editing, performing, or rushing toward resolution.
Lenten prayer emphasizes listening, repentance, and trust rather than certainty or spiritual productivity.
Rule of life: how I will practice prayer
- Daily prayer time:
- Location:
- Scripture I will pray regularly:
Simple steps
- Choose a modest, repeatable rhythm (5–15 minutes daily).
- Begin with stillness—breathe slowly and acknowledge God’s presence.
- Pray Scripture—read a psalm or Gospel passage slowly.
- Respond honestly—with words or silence.
- Close with surrender rather than control.
Example
A small group commits to praying Psalm 51 once a week during Lent.
They read it aloud slowly, sit in silence for two minutes, then share one word or phrase that stayed with them. Prayer becomes less about fixing and more about truth-telling.
Sources for reflection
- Answering God – Eugene Peterson
- The Way of the Heart – Henri Nouwen
3. Almsgiving — Practicing Generosity and Solidarity
What this practice forms in us
Almsgiving reorders our relationship with money, possessions, and power. In Lent, generosity is not charity from a distance but a way of standing closer to the needs of others and recognizing our shared vulnerability.
Almsgiving trains the heart to move outward rather than inward.
Rule of life: how I will practice generosity
- What I will give (money, time, presence, skill):
- Who or where will I give:
- How often:
Simple steps
- Decide what you will give—money, time, attention, or presence.
- Give intentionally and regularly.
- Give relationally when possible—learn names and stories.
- Give quietly—resist the need to be seen.
- Reflect on how giving changes you.
Example
A household sets aside one simple meal a week during Lent and donates the saved money to a local food pantry.
Before eating, they pray for those who will receive the gift. Generosity becomes embodied rather than abstract.
Sources for reflection
- The Cost of Discipleship – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Mere Christianity – C. S. Lewis
A Closing Word for Lent
These practices are not ladders to God; they are ways of paying attention. Lent does not ask us to become impressive disciples—only honest ones. Through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, we learn again how to receive grace rather than manage it.
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This spring, Keith Anderson and Rob Loane are creating space for leaders to tend the inner life together in A Leader’s Journey in a Fractured World. You can read more and register here.
Keith Anderson, D.Min., is a Faculty Associate for Spirituality and Vocation at VantagePoint3 and President Emeritus of Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. He is the author of several books, including his most recent: On Holy Ground: Your Story of Identity, Belonging and Sacred Purpose (Wipf & Stock, 2024). His other works include Reading Your Life’s Story (IVP, 2016), A Spirituality of Listening (IVP, 2016), and Spiritual Mentoring (IVP, 1999). In his writing, teaching, and mentoring, Keith seeks to set a table for people looking to enter the “amazing inner sanctuary of the soul” in the most ordinary and extraordinary moments of life.