Lent is a time to prepare for Easter. It is a necessary prelude. The death and resurrection of Christ are true whether or not we prepare for Easter. However, without our hearts and lives being ready, we may not experience the depth and power of Christ's death and resurrection. As we as a congregation begin the journey of Lent this year, consider committing yourselves to disciplines for conversion from sin and death to love and life in Jesus Christ. Traditionally fasting and giving up something were part of the Lenten Discipline, but you can also consider adding a practice that could help you focus on Christ. Below are some suggestions on commitments to discipline and growth that you could take up for the next six weeks
Inward and Personal Disciplines::
Think about a habit that has kept you from being whom God is calling you to be. Consciously give up that habit for Lent.
Spend 15 minutes in silent prayer every day.
Read a book for spiritual growth during Lent.
Keep a journal of prayer concerns, questions, and reading.
Focus on thanksgiving in prayer, rather than on asking.
Find a way to go to bed earlier or sleep in so you get enough rest.
Take a ‘fast’ from complaining, bitterness, grudges, and pessimism for Lent.
Go to the Good Friday service as an act of love and waiting with Jesus.
Forgive someone who has hurt you. Pray for them daily during Lent.
Take a prayer retreat for a morning, a day, or a weekend at some time during Lent.
Turn off your phone or device on your commute.
Other promptings?
Outward and Social Disciplines
Make a commitment to “fast” from cruel or careless comments about others.
Take on some loving task that serves your family, friends, church, or community.
Write a letter of affirmation once a week to a person who has touched your life.
Go to coffee or dinner with someone you want to know better on a regular basis through Lent.
Begin to recycle waste from your home and workplace weekly.
Share your faith with a non-Christian colleague or friend.
Say "NO" to something that is a waste of money, energy, and time.
Pray to God to help you resist racial prejudice and to give you courage in opposing it.
Decide to become a member of the church and speak to a pastor or lay leader.
Rebuke the spirit of criticism and focus on being more positive and patient with others.
Start a Lenten small group with a few others. Meet for an hour or two weekly to study scripture and pray for each other.
Pray for somebody. As you’re walking the streets, driving the highways, sitting in your cubicle at work, or going to a movie, pick out a person who appears to be in need, and pray for that person. Be mindful of the words of Philo of Alexandria, who said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.”
Read Matthew 25: 31-46 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink...in prison and you visited me....” There are plenty of opportunities available in our community and through our church to put this teaching into practice. Choose an act of service you can perform throughout Lent.
Make a list of all the excesses in your life. Think about which ones you could do without and put it into action during Lent.
Other promptings?
Make a commitment to “fast” from cruel or careless comments about others.
Take on some loving task that serves your family, friends, church, or community.
Write a letter of affirmation once a week to a person who has touched your life.
Go to coffee or dinner with someone you want to know better on a regular basis through Lent.
Begin to recycle waste from your home and workplace weekly.
Share your faith with a non-Christian colleague or friend.
Say "NO" to something that is a waste of money, energy, and time.
Pray to God to help you resist racial prejudice and to give you courage in opposing it.
Decide to become a member of the church and speak to a pastor or lay leader.
Rebuke the spirit of criticism and focus on being more positive and patient with others.
Start a Lenten small group with a few others. Meet for an hour or two weekly to study scripture and pray for each other.
Pray for somebody. As you’re walking the streets, driving the highways, sitting in your cubicle at work, or going to a movie, pick out a person who appears to be in need, and pray for that person. Be mindful of the words of Philo of Alexandria, who said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.”
Read Matthew 25: 31-46 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink...in prison and you visited me....” There are plenty of opportunities available in our community and through our church to put this teaching into practice. Choose an act of service you can perform throughout Lent.
Make a list of all the excesses in your life. Think about which ones you could do without and put it into action during Lent.
Other promptings?
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