A Journey in the Wilderness: A Prayer Path for Lent

By Natasha Vedder

Prayer Path

When planning the worship series “A Table in the Wilderness” and this outdoor prayer path, we were in the midst of a global pandemic. While the pandemic is no longer the current crisis, each year congregations face different but possibly no less disturbing challenges. How do we journey through the wilderness of our current context, and what can we learn from individuals throughout Scripture who found themselves in the literal wilderness?

This “Journey in the Wilderness” prayer path with stations can be done regardless of your plans for Lenten worship, but it originated in conjunction with the worship series “A Table in the Wilderness”. If the weather in your area is unfavorable for an outdoor path, this journey can be adapted for use inside your church building. You are also encouraged to edit the text to reflect challenges in your current context.

The Setup

Footprints painted in our parking lot led people from station to station. The first stop on the journey was a welcome message from the pastor explaining the prayer stations and inviting individuals to participate in other Lent worship opportunities. A template for this welcome message can be found below.

Each station had a wooden bench and a wooden cross with a laminated poster attached. On each poster was a piece of artwork with a descriptive title and a short sentence related to that station’s Scripture text. The artwork we used was by Brother Martin Erspamer, a Benedictine liturgical artist from St. Meinrad Abbey in Indiana. That resource is no longer available, but an online search should turn up art you can use (some is free, but other artwork will need to be purchased). Below is an outline of the prayer stations, with art suggestions from the editors of Reformed Worship.

A printed guide was available to lead individuals as they prayed and reflected at each station; if participants had a smartphone they could listen to an audio guide accessible via the QR code on each station’s poster. The audio guide was linked to a printed version posted on the church’s website.

The print and audio guides included an opening prayer, a Scripture text connected to the Scripture used in worship for the related Sunday, reflection questions, a word from Christ, and a closing prayer. New prayer stations were added weekly to match the Sunday worship text (one station per week, plus one each for Good Friday and Easter Sunday). Individuals were encouraged to return often, each time starting at the beginning, thus slowly extending their journey and time in prayer each week.

After the final station, “A Table on the Beach for Us,” which was added on Easter, footprints led individuals to a large wooden table on the church’s front lawn that had the words “All are welcome at the table of God” around its edges. Colorful plastic placemats were fixed to the top, with an invitation for people to write with provided markers their prayers and words of gratitude for God’s provision. In the center we placed a large bouquet of yellow flowering branches. The benches from each station were gathered and placed around the table.

Welcome Poster

[The words in blue indicate text that should be altered to fit your church's context.]

During the season of Lent, Christians all over the world reflect on the great mystery of Jesus’ suffering with and for the world. Walking a path marked by crosses can be a way to connect with Christ and also to pray honestly about the suffering in the world and in our own lives. There is comfort and power for here and now when prayer includes our bodies.

Lent comes with an especially urgent invitation for us to contemplate and trust God’s promised provision in the deserts of life. Can God really spread a table in the wilderness of [name a single, overriding wilderness reality for your congregation, the nation, or the world]?

Yes, says the deep well of Christian faith. Yes, says Jesus. Over and over, God does spread a table before us in the face of all our greatest fear and suffering.

The stations here at [church’s name] are unique to our observance of Lent this year. Over the six weeks of Lent and into the Holy Week of Easter, you will be invited to reflect on stories of people who sat at the table God spread before them in the extreme wilderness of their lives.

Take as much time as you need, and use only what is helpful in the materials provided.

When your heart is drawn to God, often no more words are needed.

Consider making a commitment to walk the path each week of Lent as the prayer path grows.
If you come every week, you may want to spend the most time at the newly placed station.

If anything about your time of prayer needs conversation, or if you would like to know more about the cross-shaped way of Christian spirituality, [provide contact information for the pastor or elders].

A QR code at each station allows you to listen to the Scripture being read and as well as a song about tables in the wilderness. The artwork at each station is by [name the artist you choose to feature or, if using suggested artwork, “artists representing a range of Christian art throughout time and across the world”].

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness and protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. And may he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

Prayer Stations Outline

This outline of the prayer path includes suggestions for art, which are available free to use for non-commercial purposes. However, you are responsible for ensuring you have the necessary legal permission to use whatever artwork you use and to make sure the appropriate author and copyright information accompany each image.

Station 1	A Table in the Wilderness for Jesus
	Suggested Artwork: “Temptation in the Wilderness,” Briton Rivière, Public Domain Text for poster: Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
Station 2	A Table in the Wilderness for Israel
	Suggested Artwork: “The Gathering of the Manna,” James Jacques Joseph Tissot, Public Domain Text for poster: You will not starve. I will rain down bread from heaven for you.
Station 3	A Table in the Wilderness for Hagar
	Suggested Artwork: “Son of Hagar,” Frank Wesley. The artist has granted permission for the non-commercial use of this image with attribution. The artist must be contacted for other uses. Text for poster: God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well of water.
Station 4	A Table in the Wilderness for Elijah
	Suggested Artwork: “Prophet Elijah in the Wilderness,” Dieric Bouts, Public Domain Text for poster: Get up and eat, said the angel, for the journey is too much for you.
Station 5	A Table in the Wilderness for David
	Suggested Artwork: “David fordert von Nabal,” Anonymous, Public Domain Text for poster: Abigail took bread, wine, meat, grain, and cakes of raisins and went out to meet David.
Station 6	A Table in the Wilderness for a Hungry Crowd
	Suggested Artwork: “Jesús multiplica los panes,” Rodrigo Fernández, This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Text for poster: Jesus took the five small loaves and two small fish and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.
Station 7	A Table in the Wilderness for Our Savior (Good Friday)
	Suggested Artwork: “Christ on Gethsemane,” JESUS MAFA, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved April 21, 2026]. Original source: Éditions de l’Emmanuel, Available for non-commercial use with attribution. Text for poster: Being in anguish, Jesus prayed earnestly, and an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
Station 8	A Table on the Beach for Us (Easter)
	Suggested Artwork: “Breakfast on the Beach,” Peter Koenig, The artist has granted permission for the non-commercial use of this image with attribution. The artist must be contacted for other uses. Text for Poster: Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”