Lent is the name for the 40 days leading to Easter, the celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Since the earliest times of the Church, there is evidence of some kind of Lenten preparation for Easter. Though the specific practices vary from tradition to tradition, a common thread is that of self examination, reflection, and action. It is a season of tilling the ground in our lives to make space for the seed of the gospel to be planted.

This is not a way for us to earn God’s love or the forgiveness that flows from his love. This is about making space to receive God.

The question is, how is God inviting me to open us space this season to rest in his presence more? 

Below are three invitations around three community practices as we collectively respond to God’s invitation.

Fast

Fasting is not a way we get God’s attention, but a way God gets ours.

The Invitation

Prayerfully consider what you could set aside for this season to make space for God. Again, this isn’t about earning, nor is it about spiritual performance. You cannot earn more of God’s love than he has already freely given. This is about making space to receive the love God has already lavishly poured out in Jesus. It’s about discovering where our attention may be divided. It’s about tilling up the soil of our lives that the gospel might be planted, take root, and bear fruit.

If you’ve never fasted before…don’t go from 0 to 100. I’m not saying to make it easy. I’m encouraging you to make it accessible. Sometimes, in our desire to be faithful, we can set a bar so far from where we currently are that our intentions become a barrier to our actions. We aim for it, fall short, and abandon the effort. 

Here’s a few ideas to get you going…

• Sugar -

• A favorite drink or snack -

• Meat -

• Social Media -

• Technology -

Sunday is a day to break the fast.  It’s a day to remember this isn’t about performance. It’s about resting deeper in the love of Jesus.

Daily Time with God

Counter-formation. It’s the recognition that we are becoming something other than what we are presently. What we are becoming is determined not by our intentions, but by our actions. I can intend to become a runner. I can buy every running magazine, read every running article, buy all the running gear…but until I take that first jog, I am not a runner. HOWEVER, becoming a runner doesn’t mean signing up for the Boston Marathon if you’ve been sitting on the couch eating Cheetos for the last three years. (Don’t let this get heavy into performance)

The Invitation

Pick the resource you will use as a guide for this season (scroll to the bottom of this page for a list of our recommendations). Choose a time and a place you will set aside daily to engage God through the resource. We encourage you to consider making time first thing in the morning. There’s something about beginning your day grounding yourself in the presence of God. If morning isn’t your time then pick the time that is. We also want to encourage you to make this a focused time. Make this the primary thing you’re doing. Give God your full, undivided attention.

The point of the resource is to orient ourselves toward the presence of God. To build our home in his presence day by day with intentionality.

Weekly Connection with Companions for the Journey

Life was not meant to be lived alone. Ephesians 4 talks about how God has designed the parts of the Body (you and me) to build one another up as we walk in step with the Holy Spirit. We need each other. More specifically, we need the unique ways Jesus works through each of us.

The Invitation

Connect at least weekly with someone you can walk with through this season. If you’re a female, find another female to connect with. If you’re a male, find another male to connect with. The intention for this space is mutual encouragement. 

Don’t let fear keep you from this space. It doesn’t mean you have to share your entire life story. What you need is someone you can say “Here’s what God is speaking to me about.” Someone who will pray with you over that thing and follow up with you to see how it’s going. Someone who can say to you, “Here’s what God is speaking to me about.” Someone you can pray with over that thing and follow up with to see how it’s going. It really can be as simple as that.

Bible App Reading Plans

Prayer Resources

Printed Resources

Free copies of each of these resources are available at Worship & Word Gatherings. For those who are not able to join us at these gatherings an Amazon link to each of the resources can be found by clicking on the appropriate image.