Want More from Lent? Open Your Heart & Mind and Use These Tools!

In anticipation of the day, I'd been reflecting on Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent quite a bit, and I believe God was actually doing some work in my spirit in preparation for this special season. Many times on our journeys we need to experience, grow through, or eliminate things from our lives before we're ready for the next thing God has in mind. There is often pain involved because we must honestly look at ourselves and consider what God might be trying to do, than we must allow Him and join Him in doing it.

Ultimately, there is so much hope in paying attention to what's going on inside of us, in seeking our amazing Lord through the process, and in seeing His goodness and love played out for our benefit. In the end, we get closer to Him and He gets the glory. I am grateful for my recent experience because it has opened my heart for even more of our beloved God. I want what He wants for me and I will be seeking Him this season. What a blessing to be able to share a few thoughts and some good tools with you. May God use them to show Himself in mighty ways, to draw you closer to Himself, and to touch others through you.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the 40-day Lenten season, focusing on repentance, mortality, and reflection for Christians. It involves receiving ashes (often from burnt palms) on the forehead, symbolizing humility and the need for divine mercy. It is a day of fasting, prayer, and self-denial.

Ultimately, Ash Wednesday is seen as a "work in progress" moment—a starting point for inner transformation, moving away from sinful ways to embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

If you missed our service, here's a YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/live/jkB3CIDzcIk

Lent is a 40-day, intentional season of reflection, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving*, designed to reorient believers towards God, foster self-examination, and prepare hearts for Easter. It serves as a spiritual "retreat" or "combat" to overcome indifference, renounce distractions, and cultivate inner freedom.

Key focus areas include: 

• Reflecting on Sacrifice & Love: Recognizing Christ's sacrifice, embracing repentance, and understanding that true charity requires personal cost.

• Purposeful Action: Moving beyond just giving up items (e.g., social media, luxuries) to actively replacing them with prayer, charity, and acts of kindness.

• Inner Renewal: A time to "uproot vices and root values" through silence, honesty, and turning back to God.

• The Desert Experience: Embracing the "desert" to confront distractions and temptations, finding that, through fasting, God provides all necessities.

I hope that gives you a better understanding of what Lent is and what it can be. We're already a couple of days in, but that doesn't matter. It's never too late to turn toward the One who loves you most and who wants more for you than you want for yourself - and, trust me, what He wants for you/for me is far, far more than what we have in mind for ourselves, even when we don't think so!

My encouragement to you would be to dive right in. Don't be afraid. Yes, it will probably be hard. Yes, it is likely to hurt. BUT, the end result is a beautiful realization that God sees you. He knows you. He is with you. And, He is working out all things for your good, for your relationship with him, and for your journey so you can love him more and share Him with others so they can love Him too.

Trust the process and give in to it! Here are a few things that can help get you started. Just remember, the journey is yours and God's. Go with Him wherever He leads you, even if it looks different than what's being shared here. He's got you!

Ways to Make this Lenten Season Powerful for You

Following is a simple Lenten prayer guide that focuses on 40 days of spiritual renewal through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving*, encouraging daily 5-10 minute sessions of silence or reflection. Key practices include reading scripture, using a 5-finger prayer for others, and focusing on repentance and God's love to prepare for Easter. We hope you will find this helpful for your journey.

Daily Lenten Prayer Structure

Silence & Stillness: Start by quieting your mind and heart, acknowledging God's presence.

Scripture Reflection: Read a short daily passage and reflection, choose one word or phrase that resonates with you and think on it.

Heartfelt Prayer: Offer a simple, honest prayer, such as, “Lord, teach me your way,” or use the 5-finger method (thumb-for those close to you, index-for mentors/guides, middle-for leaders, ring-for the weak and vulnerable, pinky-for yourself).

Action: Connect your prayer to a small act of charity or sacrifice.

Sample Lenten Prayers

For Guidance: “Lord God, throughout this solemn season of Lent, I ask for your guidance to walk this path of spiritual discipline. Open my heart to the quiet whispers of your voice, leading me to deeper conversation.”

For Repentance: “Lord Jesus, lead me through this 40-day journey with humility and courage. Help me turn away from distractions and draw closer to You.”

For Transformation: “God of endless kindness, mercy, and love, Open my heart in this time of Lent. Give me courage to look at my life with honesty; Give me strength to deal with what I find.”

Morning Prayer During Lent Season

“Heavenly Father, As I rise this day, I offer You my heart, my thoughts, and my steps. Help me walk this Lenten journey with a spirit of humility and devotion. Keep me mindful of Christ’s sacrifice and teach me to deny myself so that I may

draw closer to You.

Lord, strengthen me to fast from what separates me from You and feast on Your presence. May my words be kind, my actions be pure, and my heart be set on things above. Guide me in love and repentance, shaping me into the image of

Your Son. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.”

Night Prayer During Lent Season

“Gracious God, As this day comes to a close, I turn my heart to You. Forgive me for the moments I fell short, for the times I turned away instead of toward You. In Your mercy, cleanse me and renew my spirit.

Thank You for Your love and the grace that carries me through each step of this Lenten journey. As I rest tonight, let my soul be still in Your presence. Prepare me for another day of growing in faith, surrendering my will, and walking in the way of the cross. I place my trust in You, Lord. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.”

Small Daily Habits

Morning Offering: Offer your day to God immediately upon waking.

The 5-finger Method of Prayer: Pray for loved ones (thumb), mentors/guides (pointer finger), leaders (middle), the weak and vulnerable (ring), and yourself (pinky).

Pause at the Cross: Keep a cross visible to remind you of Christ's sacrifice.

Digital Fasting: Use apps for brief daily meditations and to keep access to the Scriptures close at hand. Turn off or delete pointless apps that may interfere with your precious time.

However you choose to observe this season of Lent, it is our prayer that you will seek all the Lord has for you with your whole heart, and that it will be the beginning of a deeper, richer walk with Him.

God's best to you always.

Karie Saunders

*Almsgiving is the voluntary act of donating money, goods, or services to people in need, rooted in compassion, mercy, and religious duty (specifically within Christianity, often during Lent). It serves as a form of spiritual discipline, encouraging detachment from material wealth and fostering love for others by serving the poor.