Lent, the 40 day season of preparation for the Easter celebration of the resurrection of Jesus begins Wednesday, March 2 this year. This year, in lieu of our daily Lenten devotionals, we offer the following three suggestions for a daily Lenten discipline that we can all join in together. The first comes from an organization we are participating in with pastoral colleagues in the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences to practice spiritual wellness called The Living Compass.
This Lent season The Living Compass offers a daily email devotional, Living Well Through Lent 2022: Letting Go With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind. The devotional includes reflections from: Robbin Brent, The Rt. Rev. Brian Cole, Amy Cook, Dr. Sarah Robinson Flick, The Rev. Jan Kwiatkowski, William “Father Bill” Miller, The Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner, The Rev. Mary Bea Sullivan, The Rev. Benjamin Thomas, The Rev. Ed Thompson, and Liz Ward.
You will receive 47 daily emails, one for each day of Lent, plus Easter. The emails will begin on Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Go to Lent — Living Compass and scroll down to sign up for the email daily devotional deliveries and to join a Facebook discussion group. In this group, participants will have a chance to share their responses to the prompts in the daily readings, and also the chance to receive additional material for reflection. You may also order a free electronic copy of the 80-page Lent devotional guide here: Living Well Through Lent 2022 – 8.5×11 (PDF VERSION) – Living Compass
Do you generally give something up during Lent? Would you consider adding in a practice? This second community suggestion involves a daily creative practice throughout Lent of seeing with spiritual eyes.
Lent, the season of the Christian Year that is typically observed as a time of simple living, prayer and fasting leading up to Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday (March 2, 2022). But what is Lent really about?
Many spend the time in self-examination and reflection as modeled by Jesus in Matthew 4: 1-11 where he prayed and fasted for 40 days before beginning his ministry.
What happened during those 40 days of fasting and praying in the wilderness? Our friends at the Upper Room say that maybe Jesus needed some time with God to sort through the major changes happening in his life. Maybe he needed a break from family, friends, and his regular routine in order to see God (and himself) more clearly. Maybe he sought more time with God as he searched for direction and answers to the question that we, too have from time to time: “Who am I called to be?”
We, too are invited into this time of introspection. Join this photo-a-day challenge and share with the community how you perceive each word of the day? No explanation needed. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Tag us on your Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or on Twitter with #rethinkchurch.
Finally, the United Methodist Discipleship Ministries has prepared a weekly Family Lent Devotions Overview for churches and families to experience together. The hope is that these will guide families into times of reflection and renewal during this holy season. Each devotional introduces the weekly Gospel reading, a spiritual discipline, practical ways to practice the spiritual discipline at home, and a family prayer. May this be a holy time for you and your family as you get your hearts and homes ready for the mystery of Easter.
