This Lent may be different but it doesn’t mean that we can’t make the most of the time we are gifted during lockdown to concentrate on our own personal spiritual spring clean. As we continue through the season of Lent we are reminded that it is about committing ourselves to a deeper Christian life.
PRAYER
Prayer is God’s invitation into conversation. It’s our way to be thankful, bring our needs and desires to God and offer up prayers on behalf of others.
Monday
How often do we come to God with a list of the things we want him to do for us or to help us with? Give thanks to God for the people he has placed in our path who on daily basis guide, support and strengthen us in good times and bad and in so doing, answer our prayer.
Tuesday
GOD loves cheerful givers, especially those who are able to receive graciously and thankfully. To show your appreciation for all God has given, experience the joy of God today by being today’s cheerful giver to someone in need and trust that they will receive graciously and thankfully. That “someone” shouldn’t be difficult to find.
Wednesday
Having “an attitude of gratitude” adds to our spiritual and physical health all year round—and it’s a mindset we can cultivate. We can express our appreciation to family and friends, for employment, pleasant experiences and new things. Decide at the start of today how you will show appreciation to both God and to those who love you most in life for all the good things we enjoy.
Thursday
There is not a single thing we own, nor a single thing about who we are that has not been given to us. Even in our greatest offerings and sacrifices we cannot out give God. Entitlement holds us back, but gratitude propels us forward into the life God designed for us. Sharing what we have been given with others enriches our lives.
Friday
Our list of reasons to thank God are endless, but sometimes we have difficulty thinking of those reasons because the challenges in life seem so much more important that we can’t see past them to the amazing things God has done for us. Have a heart to heart conversation with God and a loved one if they feel you take their love for granted.
Saturday
We should spend as much time in thanking God for his benefits as we do in asking him for them. If you can’t find reasons to thank God for all that has been given to us thank him for reaching out to the neediest in our world and inspiring us to do the same. (St Vincent De Paul)
Prayer
Everything that we have comes from God and Pope Francis tells us that thanksgiving is a hallmark of an authentic Christian life. “Above all, let us not forget to thank: if we are bearers of gratitude, the world itself will become better, even if only a little bit, but that is enough to transmit a bit of hope. The world needs hope. And with gratitude, with this habit of saying thank you, we transmit a bit of hope. Everything is united and everything is connected, and everyone needs to do his or her part wherever we are. ”
Lenten Resources:
We have collated a variety of resources to enable you to take part in further online learning and reflection throughout the Lent season. Please click the button below to access them.
Although much of the material we will be putting before you will be internet based we want to appeal to families and friends who would like to access the material but are unable to use the internet. Please think about what you can do to help them.