Praying Lent: Day 10 - Live a Fearless Life
I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
Every day rise and say, "I surrender myself and all my problems, my loved ones, and my future into the hands of God because I trust Him." Thank Him for all His goodness and soon your life will be filled with God and emptied of apprehensions and fear.
DAY 11:
MEDITATE: Psalm 35:13 - But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting, But my prayer kept returning to me.
PRAY: Lord, as I fast over these few weeks, may it be less about selfish gain and more about selfless worship. Help me to shift my focus away from myself and more toward you, Jesus.
READ: What Evangelicals Need to Know about Fasting for Lent by Ryan Duncan
REFLECT: What are you choosing to fast from? How is fasting helping you focus on Jesus?
Saturday, February 27
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:43-44
Key thought:
Each of us is a child of God—and none of us is perfect. Still, God asks us to aspire to perfection by recognizing the fallibility of others, and not punishing them for it. By ‘being the bigger person,’ we honor His desires for us.
Suggested practice:
Offer your prayers today for anyone who may have misjudged, mistreated, misunderstood or even mocked you. Ask for God’s strength to turn the other cheek the next time it happens.
Friday, February 26
“…go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:24
Key thought:
Asking for forgiveness can be just as difficult as offering it. But God doesn’t want us to shy away from the task.
Suggested practice:
Think back over the past several months, and recall something you may have done or said that hurt another person. Be honest with yourself. Then, as difficult as it might be, pick up the phone—or write a sincere note—to ask for their forgiveness.
Day 9 - Face Your Challenges
If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
Imagine your difficulties and fears lined up. Do they seem intimidating? Realize you have an incredible, powerful force at your disposal that can overcome them all. Say the Scripture above and know that God will fight for and with you!
DAY 9:
MEDITATE: Luke 13:3 - No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
PRAY: God, thank you for not expecting perfection from me. You know I make mistakes, and that’s why you sent Jesus to save me from all of my skins. Here I am, Lord, trying again, despite all the times I have fallen short. Thank you for your grace.
READ: How to Have an Imperfect Lent by Theresa Ceniccola
REFLECT: When and why have I been tempted to “give up” on Lent? How can I try again?
Thursday, February 25
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
Key thought:
God knows what we need without having to be asked; yet we cannot expect His mercy without active demonstrations of faith.
Suggested practice:
Set aside 15 minutes for prayer today, and communicate your needs to God. This is how He will open the door to granting your requests.
Praying Lent: Day 7 - Fill Your Heart with Christ
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10
What is the secret of an energized life? Christ! Fill your mind with Christ, fill your heart with Him, and inevitably energy, vitality, exuberance, delight and eagerness will well up within you. Ask God to fill you with love, energy, enthusiasm and strength.
DAY 7:
MEDITATE: Matthew 6:1 - “Take care not to practice your righteousness in the sight of people, to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
PRAY: Lord, may I be gracious toward all who choose to observe Lent, and all those who don’t. May I be cautious in how I share about my Lenten practices this month, avoiding hypocrisy and choosing love for me neighbors above all else.
READ: (Hopefully) Non-Self-Righteous Thoughts on the Observance of Lent by Aaron Armstrong
REFLECT: Why am I sharing this thought or desire in this season of Lent?
Tuesday, February 23
“If you forgive other people for their offenses, your Heavenly Father will forgive you.” Matthew 6:14
Key thought:
Has someone hurt you? Have you offered your forgiveness, even if that person hasn’t sought it?
Suggested practice:
Pray for God’s help in understanding the shortcomings and imperfections of others, and set an intention to forgive without expectation, even when it’s hard to do so.
DAY 6:
MEDITATE: Mark 1:12-13 - And immediately the Spirit brought Him out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving Him.
PRAY: Jesus, focus my heart and my mind on what you endured for me. Everything you did, you did for the salvation of all mankind-- I am eternally grateful. I am in awe of you, Lord. Thank you for the cross.
READ: Why I Was Wrong about Lent by Jennifer Kostick
REFLECT: How can I be more cognizant of the cross today?
Day 5 - Believe in Your Prayers
Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24
When you pray, believe you are receiving God’s infinite blessings—and have faith that He will answer your prayer.
Sunday, February 21
“The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and He remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan...” Mark 1:12-13
Key thought:
This passage reminds us that no human, not even Jesus, is safe from temptation.
Suggested practice:
How do you handle temptation? Jesus allowed Himself to be led into the desert, in part, so that He could offer an example of how to resist temptation. Open yourself to God’s presence today by saying this prayer and remember that you can return to it at any time during Lent and beyond.
Prayer to Overcome Temptation
I believe, Lord, that with Your example and help I can overcome temptation in my life. I hope in You, Lord, because You know that I am weak, and therefore You give me Your grace which is stronger than sin. I love You, Lord, and I know that love for You and for souls will give me the strength to overcome sin in my life and help others to overcome it as well. Amen.
DAY 4:
MEDITATE: Matthew 4:1-2 - Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.
PRAY: Jesus, help me to set aside time for worship and reflection in this season of Lent. Help me draw nearer to you and understand you more deeply. May I receive the overwhelming graces you have to offer me, today and everyday.
READ: What is Lent: Honoring the Sacrifice of Jesus by Sarah Phillips
REFLECT: How can I honor the sacrifice of Jesus through my life?
Praying Lent: Day 4 - Live Life to the Fullest
The Lord's.... compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Great news! If yesterday didn't go so well, God's interest in you is fresh every morning. Rely on God's loving care, and life with all its challenges will become easier.
Saturday, February 20
“Jesus said to them in reply, ‘Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.’” Luke 5:31-32
Key thought:
Jesus is referring to the tax collectors and other ‘unrighteous’ guests seated at the dinner table with Him, whom the self-righteous Pharisees judged to be unworthy. In fact, whenever the Pharisees compared themselves to others, they saw themselves as better…but of course that wasn’t actually the case.
Suggested practice:
From time to time, each of us could use a reminder that no matter how good or righteous we think we are, we are still sinners. “He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) Today, make some time to recite this prayer:
Litany of Humility
Lord Jesus! Meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. Amen.
— Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930)
Praying Lent: Day 3 - Energize Your Spirit
In Him we live, and move, and have our being. Acts 17:28
Stress and everyday challenges can wear on our energy. Thankfully, we have a method of renewal. God created us and He can constantly and automatically re-create us. When you need energy repeat the above Scripture and affirm that God's recreative energy is restoring strength and power to every part of your body, mind and soul.
Friday, February 19
“And Jesus said to them, ‘The attendants of the groom cannot mourn as long as the groom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the groom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.’” Matthew 9:15
Key thought:
Fasting is one way to let go of things that compete for our attention in order to place God at our center. Today’s passage challenges us to think about what we might bid farewell to, in order to fully welcome Jesus into our hearts.
Suggested practice:
Most of us take the word ‘fast’ literally, and refrain from eating certain foods. This is certainly an important part of our Lenten ritual; but what else might you need to fast from right now? What else takes up too much of your energy? Technology? Your desire to please others? Spend a few minutes brainstorming a list, and choose one meaningful thing to give up.
DAY 2:
MEDITATE: Psalm 118:25-26 - Please, O Lord, do save us; Please, O Lord, do send prosperity! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
PRAY: Lord, help me to dive into this season of Lent with intentionality and purpose. I want to know you better, love you more fully, and accept your grace more readily. Draw me closer to you, day by day.
READ: Evangelicals Remember Lent by Whitney Hopler
REFLECT: What has been the most meaningful part of this Lenten season for you? What will you remember?
Praying Lent: Day 2 - Trust in the Lord
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows them that trust in Him. Nahum 1:7
Confidently trust God to handle things beyond your efforts. Every day, repeat:
I put my life in God's hands.
I will trust God's guidance.
I leave the outcome to God.
Thursday, February 18
“Then He said to all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’” Luke 9:23
Key thought:
Often, we equate ‘denying ourselves’ with sacrifice…but it’s more than simply giving something up that we enjoy. ‘Denying ourselves’ means to overcome our human nature to be selfish. When we commit to following Jesus, we begin to train ourselves to live unselfishly in service to others.
Suggested practice:
What does it mean to follow Jesus? How can you begin to make this part of your routine? Ask His direction in all that you do today; and be mindful of opportunities to turn away from selfishness.
DAY 1: ASH WEDNESDAY
MEDITATE: 1 Peter 5:6 - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time.
PRAY: Lord, I am not my own. I am a sinner and I have fallen short of your glory, yet you became a man to die on a cross in my place. Thank you for loving me that much, Jesus! In this season, may I be crucified with Christ so I can truly live.
READ: We are Not Our Own: The Counter-Cultural Season of Lent by John Stonestreet
REFLECT: How am I conforming to culture? What would it look like to follow the way of Jesus instead?
Traditionally, we associate Lent with sacrifice—and certainly, sacrifice is a meaningful part of our Easter preparations. At the same time, Lent is also an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God as we prepare for the miracle of the Resurrection—a chance to recognize our human imperfections and to transform our thoughts and actions in order to prepare for our eternal salvation.
Although you may not physically be able to receive your ashes because of the pandemic, set an intention to honor their symbolism for the next 40 days to “…repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Mark 1:15). Whether you reserve a few quiet moments in the mornings, or seek opportunities for reflection and prayer throughout each day, we hope these Lenten Devotionals will help light your path toward Jesus’ redeeming grace.
Wednesday, February 17 – Ash Wednesday
“Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment.” Joel 2:13
Key thought:
What does it mean to ‘rend your heart?’ It suggests an action; a true change. This is what it means to repent: to be sincere when we turn away from sin and toward God and His mercy.
Suggested practice:
What will it take for you to truly change your heart? Remember, God is ready to forgive you. Spend a few moments asking Him for guidance so that you can embark on your Lenten journey in good faith.
Praying Lent - Day 1 - Begin Your Lenten Journey
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. James 4:8
Lent is a blessed time to enhance your relationship with God and cultivate a deep and abiding prayer life. As you stand on the threshold of Lent, replace habits that hinder you from living your best life with positive habits that draw you closer to God.
