Pocket Lent 2020 Devotional

INTRODUCTION Lent is observed by the Christian church as a season of prayer and fasting beginning on Ash Wednesday and leading up to Easter. During Lent many Christians practice giving up something (fasting) in order to refocus their lives on God. By fasting from certain things, we practice dying to ourselves. By incorperating new spiritual practices we are able to refocus our lives on God.This allows us to intentionally choose things that help us become the kind of people God desires us to be. Our hope is that this calendar of daily practices of fasting-from and living-to, will help you lean into God this Lenten season.

Grace and Peace, Haley Alloway Associate Campus Pastor of Formation

WED

26

FEB Attend an Ash Wednesday service.

THU

27

FEB Fast from your favorite hobby or treat.

FRI

28

FEB Watch the 6:00 evening news today as a group and then pray together about what you saw.

SAT

29

FEB Do something that you’ve been putting off or trying to avoid.

SUN

1

MAR Tell stories with your friends tonight by having each person share something that made them laugh this week.

MON

2

MAR Make a meal together and then eat and talk about your day.

TUE

3

MAR Read 2 Corinthians 5:14 and then spend at least one hour doing something you enjoy.

WED

4

MAR Write a prayer to God explaining the habits, behaviors, and sins you want to die to.

THU

5

MAR Don’t text todayjust call.

FRI

6

MAR Fast from coffee or soda.

SAT

7

MAR Go for a walk in your neighborhood and pick up any trash that you see.

SUN

8

MAR Play a game outside and enjoy the day.

MON

9

MAR Send a handwritten letter to a relative who could use some encouragement.

TUE

10

MAR Read 2 Corinthians 5:15-16 and then spend at least one hour doing something you enjoy.

WED

11

MAR Pray the Lord’s Prayer today at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, and 9pm. *Set your cell phone as a reminder.

THU

12

MAR Sit with someone different at lunch today.

FRI

13

MAR Fast from technology: tv, computer, internet, video games, and music.

SAT

14

MAR Go for a walk in your neighborhood and pray for everyone you see.

SUN

15

MAR Relax and enjoy the evening with your friends.

MON

16

MAR Talk to or call someone you love and tell them what you love about them.

TUE

17

MAR Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and then spend at least one hour doing something you enjoy.

WED

18

MAR Write a prayer to God thanking him especially for the people he has brought into your life.

THU

19

MAR Have a conversation today with someone you normally wouldn’t talk to.

FRI

20

MAR Don’t use any sarcasam today.

SAT

21

MAR Put a list of things for which you are grateful in your pocket.Take it out and read it every time you catch yourself complaining.

SUN

22

MAR Invite someone over for a meal.

MON

23

MAR Pray before and after meals today.

TUE

24

MAR Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 and then spend at least one hour doing something you enjoy.

WED

25

MAR Go outside and pay attention to nature. Listen for what God might have for you.

THU

26

MAR Have a conversation with or do something thoughtful for a neighbor/classmate or stranger.

FRI

27

MAR Fast from the radio or music while in the car.

SAT

28

MAR Slow down today and do everything deliberately. Drive slowly, walk slowly, talk slowly, and eat slowly.

SUN

29

MAR Host a game night with friends.

MON

30

MAR Spend the evening with people you love.

TUE

31

MAR Read 2 Corinthians 5:20 and then spend at least one hour doing something you enjoy.

WED

1

APR Choose one person and pray for them three times today.

THU

2

APR Place random Post-It notes with encouraging messages around the house for your family or roommates to find.

FRI

3

APR Give up online social networking for a day.

(Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

SAT

4

APR Choose one social justice issue and pray for it three times today.

SUN

5

APR Have a movie night with friends or by yourself.

MON

6

APR Take a nap and enjoy your day.

TUE

7

APR Read 2 Corinthians 5:21 and spend at least one hour doing something you enjoy.

WED

8

APR Do something you have been putting off or trying to avoid.

THU

9

APR Spend at least 30 minutes with a staff or faculty member.

FRI

10

APR Go to a Good Friday service with your family or a group of people. Spend 10 minutes in silence remembering Jesus’ death.

SAT

11

APR Eat only one meal today of rice and beans. During the other two meal times, pray for the hungry of the world.

SUN

12

APR HE IS RISEN! Celebrate the resurrection with your community today.