Paul W. Arndt

Lent 2026
We Walk With Jesus All the Way

Introduction

One of the hymns that frames the life of the Christian is I Walk in Danger All the Way. The first three stanzas begin this way:


I walk in danger all the way…

I pass through trials all the way ...

Death pursues me all the way ...


The first part of the hymn reminds us that all of the spiritual forces of the "unholy trinity" (the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh) relentlessly fight against us. The devil pursues us. In this world we suffer and bear the cross. And the number of our days are limited.


The good news of the last three stanzas reminds us that we don’t walk the way of this world alone.


I walk with angels …

I walk with Jesus ...

My walk is heavenward ... all the way


Those promises are true and hold fast every morning. Jesus is for us. He is with us, and nothing, not even death, can separate us from His love. (Romans 8)


Lent 2026 - Each Wednesday ...


Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 18th). This year I'd like to offer a few simple, yet powerful, spiritual practices to help you meditate on the person and work of Jesus. I chose the practices based on five criteria.


For each practice I asked ...


Is it useful? Will it help me make use of the person and work of Jesus? Can it help me fight against the "unholy trinity" of the devil, the world, and my own sinful flesh?


Is it doable? Can it be taught and learned in a "clear and simple way"? Is it a practice that I can easily start and do, without any frustration? Is it simple enough for a child to learn, and yet, profound enough for me to practice every day for the rest of my life?


Is it reliable? Does it consistently deliver the person, work, and gifts of the Triune God? Is it rooted in the Scriptures? Will the practice serve me for a lifetime, without fail?


Is it memorable? Can I learn it quickly and use it easily? Is it something that will last throughout the entirety of my life and not just a passing season?


Is it repeatable? Is this practice something that I can keep coming back to? Can I make use of it day after day, week after week, year after year?


With those criteria in mind, I choose the following six spiritual practices.


  • Practice 1: The Sign of the Cross and the Trinitarian Invocation
  • Practice 2: Praying Luther’s Evening and Morning Prayer
  • Practice 3: Comforting the Conscience with Confession and Absolution
  • Practice 4: Memorization and Meditation on the Word of God
  • Practice 5: Loving God and Serving the Neighbor Through Our Vocations
  • Practice 6: A Doxology of Praise and the Reception of the Lord’s Blessing

Each Wednesday during the forty days of the penitential season I'll introduce you to a spiritual practice. I'll give you some guidance, a few resources, and a couple of words of encouragement for the week ahead. We'll start small and slow ... baby steps.


You can learn more about this spiritual formation process at ... TheReceptiveLife.com.


I pray that this simple, and yet profound, set of practices will help you learn how to make use of the person and work of Jesus Christ so that you can ...


  • fight against the "unholy trinity" - the devil, the world, and the sinful flesh
  • defend yourself with all of the promises of Jesus
  • and receive all of the gifts that only the Triune God can give

We commend all into the Lord's hands. Come what may, we do belong to Jesus.

Field Notes: Reflections Along the Way

As we walk through the Lenten season, I 'd like to encourage you to record some field notes along the way. These are just honest reflections about what you have seen or heard or learned. They're not perfect entries or prose or poetry ready for print. But they are written records of what you've experienced and reminders of where you've been.


For example, in thinking about the concept of "field notes" and the Christian's walk through danger all the way, I noted ...


"Could the Psalms be the greatest collection of spiritual field notes ever taken? Notes from those on the way, written in the middle of life, living and moving through ... the territory of attack, lament, suffering, joy, thanksgiving, prayer. Prayers inspired by God and yet prayed inside the moment and not outside of it, always attentive to the spiritual terrain, a spiritual alertness and constant reflection on what what it means to fear, love, and trust in God above all things."


Perhaps you'd like to try taking some field notes. No one has to see them.

I'll think about posting some myself.

If so, you'll be able to read them in the link below ...

Practice 1: The Sign of the Cross and the Trinitarian Invocation
The Practice: The Sign of the Cross and the Trinitarian Invocation
In the morning, when you rise, AND in the evening, when you go to bed, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say:

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

* * *
Then meditate on the following ...

Christ FOR me (Romans 8)
Christ WITH me (Matt. 28:20)
Christ IN and THROUGH me (Gal. 2:20-21)

Marked by the cross and the Trinitarian invocation meditate on ...

What the Triune God has done in your baptism!
Who you are and whose you are in Christ Jesus!
That there is "no other name" by which we are saved! (Acts 4:12; 10:43)

Meditate on the following from the Small Catechism …

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death,

that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

-Meaning of Second Article of Apostle's Creed, Small Catechism, Concordia Triglotta


Make use of the following sayings throughout the week. See them as daggers that you can use against the unholy trinity ...

Lord have mercy on me, the sinner.
Jesus is Lord!

I belong to Christ!

Daily Practice - Station 1 Videos

Practice 2: Pray the Morning and Evening Prayer
The Practice: Evening and Morning Prayer
In the Morning Pray Luther’s Morning Prayer

I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Triglotta, Small Catechism

* * *

In the Evening Pray Luther’s Evening Prayer

I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Triglotta, Small Catechism

* * *

Meditate on the following ...



It is a good thing to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praises to your name, Most High,
to proclaim your loving kindness in the morning,
and your faithfulness every night …
Psalm 92:1-2

Then reflect on the following …


Psalm 4 (an evening Psalm)

I thank …
I commend …
I go to bed and rest in peace.

Psalm 5 (morning Psalm)

I ask …
I commend …
Throughout the day I watch.

Make use of the following sayings throughout the week. They are daggers that you can use against the unholy trinity.


Lord, you have kept … so you will keep!
Into Thy hands I commend …
The Holy Angel is with me ...

Daily Practice - Station 2 Videos

Practice 3: Confession
The Practice: Confession

As you prepare to examine your life, meditate on …


If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.


My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counsellor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for the whole world. (1 John 1:8--2:2)


Take note that confession means “to agree with God”.


  • We agree with God about our sin.
  • And we agree with Him about our Savior.

Then examine the thoughts, words, and deeds of your life according to the Ten Commandments.


You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.


And then say the following. Use them as daggers against the accusations of the devil, the temptations of the world, and the desires of the sinful flesh.


“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner”∗

“Jesus, you are my Lord.”

“Save me, for I am yours!”


After confessing your sins, comfort yourselves with the forgiveness of sins that comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus.


Do the following …


  • remember and make use of your Baptism
  • attend the Lord’s Supper in the Divine Service
  • meet with your pastor for a time of private confession and absolution

Remember that the rhythm of the Christian life is …


repent

receive

rejoice

respond

(repeat)


Finally, meditate on the following portions from Psalm 119.


Ps. 119:1: Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,

who walk according to the Lord’s law.


Ps. 119:133: Establish my footsteps in your word.

Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.


Ps. 119:176: I have gone astray like a lost sheep.

Seek your servant, for I don’t forget your commandments.


∗ And/or you can use the general confession as contained in the following hymn books: The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship, or Lutheran Service Book.

Daily Practice - Station 3 Videos

Practice 4: Reading, Studying and Meditating on God's Word
The Practice: Reading, Studying and Meditation on God's Word

As you prepare to read, study, and meditate on the Scriptures, pray the following verses from Psalm 119. They reflect the three themes of prayer, meditation on the Word of God, and the daily troubles of life.


Ps. 119:18: Open my eyes, that I may see
wondrous things out of your law.

Ps. 119:97 How I love your law!
It is my meditation all day.

Ps. 119:25 My soul is laid low in the dust.
Revive me according to your word!

Choose a portion of the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Psalms to …


listen to or read1
study2
memorize and meditate on3

After hearing God’s Word, make a confession of your faith by saying the Apostle’s Creed.


I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

And then say the following. Use them as daggers against the lies and deceit of the Evil One.


The Triune God has given me His Word …

in the flesh, incarnate in Jesus
in the Scriptures
in the Sacraments
and His Word cannot and does not lie. Amen!

* * *

1 You can choose to read through the Bible in a year, through the Psalms in a month, a book of the Bible, or a reading guide such as the Treasury of Daily Prayer.

2You can use The Lutheran Study Bible (ESV)

3I have found that there are three secrets to memorization … repeat, repeat, repeat. Also, choose portions of the Scripture that are “friends” and/or “daggers” (specific verses that comfort you in times of trial and fight for you against the unholy trinity).

Daily Practice - Station 4 Videos

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