Lent invites us to prepare our minds and hearts for glorifying Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Every week during Lent, we will post a bible verse along with a Lenten Challenge. We hope this challenge will help you with ideas to become engaged during Lent.
First Week of Lent
Preparing Ourselves to Listen: Believe and Be Still
Bible Verse
“For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.”—Psalm 62:5
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me. “– Revelation 3:20
Challenge
Set aside your expectations and let God know how much you want to hear from Him. Believe that God wants to speak with you, to have a relationship with you. Think about how to foster quiet in your life. How can you quiet your mind? When you do quiet your mind, how do you feel? Are your more open to listening? Practice stillness as often as possible whether it be at your desk, in traffic, or in a nice, relaxing place. Set aside a specific time each day to quiet yourself and open yourself to God.
Second Week of Lent
Gather
In his Lent message Pope Francis says, “…listening to Christ often takes place in listening to our brothers and sisters in the Church.”
Bible Verse
“Let anyone with ears listen!” - Matthew 11:15
“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” - Matthew 18:20
Challenge
Find a way to gather with others in His name. Attend Gather, Pray, Share at St. Anselm on the evening of March 9th. Those gathered will listen to a guided meditation, reflect on the meditation, and enjoy a Lenten soup dinner. Or, perhaps go to Stations of the Cross, join a bible group. While you are at it, invite a friend to go with you!
Third Week of Lent
Cultivate Kindness
Kindness reflects the heart. Niceness can be helpful, but kindness is a result of a heart in the right place.
Bible Verse
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:32
“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” — Hebrews 13:2
Challenge
Do something that is out of your comfort zone. Do something good, say something kind that you would normally be too shy or afraid to express through word or action. Compliment someone. Write a love note. Call or text someone you haven’t spoken to in a while or who may be lonely or sick. Open the door for someone. Thank someone for their kindness. Pick something good to do each day this week and cultivate kindness.
Fourth Week of Lent
Intentional Prayer
To pray on purpose or as God intended you to do. We’re called to pray for all types of needs—for others, self, work, healing, and more. And to pray continually. That’s intentional.
Bible Verse
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” – Ephesians 6:18
Challenge
Choose an intention you would like to pray for this week. Each day this week verbalize or visualize your intention then say the prayer below. Has praying intentionally deepened your relationship with God? If so, why not continue it beyond this week.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of us Your faithful and kindle in us the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and we shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. Oh God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, instructs the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fifth Week of Lent
Giving Alms
Bible Verse
“Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” – Luke 6:38
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” -Matthew 25:40
Challenge
This week, donate your time, money and/or possessions to those less fortunate. Here are some examples: Make a meal for someone, sign up to give blood, offer to help someone with shopping or another errand, donate money to a church or charity, and make food donations to a food pantry.
Check back for next week’s Lenten Challenge!
ON A JOURNEY WITH CHRIST TO WELCOME, LOVE & SERVE