What to do for Lent
Lent is a time of self-reflection, introspection, and turning away from those things which keep us on the path that God has for us. It’s a time for spiritual renewal and reconnection.
Here’s some ideas for this coming Lent:
Commit to praying
Morning Prayer every day. You can dust off your Prayer Book, or you can use the ready-made form on our website at
stmarksbr.org/morning office
Commit to listening to and praying with the
Pray-As-You-Go podcast—a daily meditation offered freely by British Jesuits at
pray-as-you-go.org or on your favorite podcast app.
Follow along with the wildly popular
Lent Madness, which introduces you to many saints and holy people who have made the Kingdom of God manifest in their place and time. It’s fun—you learn about two of them, and then you “vote” on your favorite. Eventually, there’s a winner.
lentmadness.org
Commit to reading through a specific book of the Bible, the four Gospels, or even the whole New Testament through the 40 days of Lent. (One year I did the Bible in 100 Days Plan, and read it during the 40 days of Lent and the 50 days of Easter.)
Commit to fasting from your usual daily Starbucks/Dunkin, and perhaps consider giving the money you’ve saved to the Food Bank.
Commit to fasting from Social Media, from Netflix, or from the overconsumption of news/politics for the 40 days. Consider using that time you’re saving for something beneficial to you, and those around you.
Commit to sending regular notes or text messages of encouragement to those who you think could use it. Assure them of your prayers, and your love for them.
After spending some time evaluating your current life choices and patterns, commit to turning towards a way of life that is truer to who God wants you to be, for yourself and those around you.
These are just a few options—and the possibilities are, of course, limitless.
But, whatever you choose to do this Lent, may it be a holy one.
Fr Rick