Paul W. Arndt

Lent 2026
We Walk With Jesus All the Way

I Walk With Jesus All the Way
One Book, Three Different Paths

  • Book I: Field Guide

    (The Direct Route)


    Book I: A Spiritual Field Guide is the most practical and direct route. It offers a structured, intentional, and repeatable step-by-step journey through the 13 stations of The Receptive Life.


    If you want the basics, start here.


    Book I: Working Draft (here)

  • Book II: Field Notes

    (The Guided Tour)


    Book II: Field Notes offers a guided tour through the territory. The meditations and reflections provide opportunities for you to pause and reflect on each station of The Receptive Life journey.


    If you want a slower walk through the territory, you might enjoy this book.


    Book II: Working Draft

    (coming soon)

  • Book III: Travelogue

    (The Scenic Excursion)


    Book III: Travelogue is the story behind the story of The Receptive Life. It includes personal reflections, struggles, missteps, wanderings, unintended detours, and hard-won insights.


    If you enjoy side trips, long walks, and scenic excursions, you might enjoy this book.


    Book III: Working Draft

    (coming soon)

Lent 2026: 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.

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

Practice 5: Vocation
The Practice: Vocation

Meditate on the following and remember the "ALLs" of the Triune God.


… the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalm 84:11)

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

I believe that the Triune God gives Himself wholly to me and is abundant in the giving of His gifts ...


The Father gives all of creation.

The Son all of His work.

And the Holy Spirit all of His gifts.

(Paraphrase from Large Catechism, II, 67-70 Triglot Concordia)


Then, reflect upon your station in life according to the Table of Duties in the Small Catechism.


List your vocational identity …


  • I am a … (husband/wife)
  • I am a … (father/mother)
  • I am a …
  • I am a …

Now list some intentional action steps that the Triune God is calling you to fulfill in each vocational role.


For example …


  • As a (husband/wife), I will …
  • As a (father/mother), I will …
  • As a _____________, I will …
  • As a _____________, I will …

Be mindful that …

You will walk in danger …

You will pass through trials …

And grim death pursues you all the way.


But also remember …

You walk with angels …

You walk with Jesus …

And your walk is heavenward all the way.


Confident that the the Triune God is the One from whom you expect and receive all good, and the One who delivers you from all evil, say the Lord’s Prayer.


The Lord’s Prayer


Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.

Amen.

Practice 6: Doxology and Blessing
The Practice: Doxology and Blessing

In and through Christ Jesus, all gifts are given and all sins are forgiven. Therefore, we can lie down and go to bed in peace and go confidently into our day to serve the neighbor and fear, love, trust in the Lord.


Meditate on the following …


Praise be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen! (Psalm 41:10)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his lovingkindness endures forever. (Psalm 118:1,29)

Praise the Lord, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name! Praise the Lord, my soul, And don’t forget all his benefits. (Psalm 103:1-2)

Use the following hymn to offer thanksgiving and praise to the Triune God for all of His gifts.


The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

Thomas Ken, 1674


Go in peace and serve the Lord with the following blessing …


The Aaronic Blessing
The Lord bless you, and keep you.
The Lord make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his face towards you, and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26)

Finally use the following against the attacks of the unholy trinity.


I praise the Triune God from whom all blessings flow.

All my sins have been forgiven.
All gifts have been given.

I go in peace to serve the Lord!

Daily Practice - Stations 5 and 6 Videos

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