resources for your journey through lent
Scripture Reflection/Journaling Prompts
SOAP Process
S - Scripture: Read and write Scripture; look and listen. Open your Bible to the reading for the day. Ask God to reveal His word to you. Slowly read and allow God to speak to you; don’t rush. Look for a word, phrase, or verse that particularly stands out to you. Physically write out the Bible verse (or passage). You’ll be amazed at what God will reveal to you when you slow down to write or meditate on what you read!
O - Observation: What do you see in the verses? Some questions: What do you think God is saying in this Scripture? Who is the audience? In your own words, describe the context. Is there a repetition of words? What words stand out to you? Is there a command or warning? What is the main lesson or theme?
A - Application: When God’s Word becomes personal. Personalize the text by reflecting on how this applies to your life right now. What is God saying to you today? Write how God is showing you that this Scripture can apply to you today. How can I apply what I just read to my life? Are there any changes I need to make?
P - Prayer: Write a prayer. You might pray about what stood out; where He may be guiding; where you are grateful; where you might need His help. Don’t worry about getting the words right. If God has revealed an area of weakness, sin, or temptation, confess it to Him. He sees you, knows you and loves you. Jesus invites you to learn from Him.
~Adapted from Love God Greatly & CtK Charlotte
A Couple Lent Reading Plans
a journey through Romans during lent
Living Loved Lenten Experience
Daily Scripture passages, audio, printables and other resources by Ann Voskamp. Available at: Living Loved
practices of Jesus | alongside
Lent: A Wilderness Journey with Jesus
After Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, he was compelled into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. Over a period of 40 days, Jesus fasted, connected with God, and was prepared for His ministry. He was tempted by Satan and resisted every temptation. Lent offers us an opportunity, an invitation to enter into a kind of wilderness with God. To open ourselves to Him, aim to become more aware of His presence with us and our dependence on Him. We invite Him to search our hearts and lives; show us anything that is out of alignment with His way; and guide us forward through His transforming power and presence.
The Bible in James 4 promises that as we draw near to God, He draws near to us. Psalm 23 reminds us that His goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. May we grow in awareness of His constant, loving pursuit and increasingly sensitive to His presence, voice, and movement in our lives and in the world around us through this time.
Each week during this Lent season, we will share practices of Jesus that help us draw near, to learn from Him, spend time with Him, and open ourselves up to His life-giving, transforming grace, power, and love.
2.18.26 | Fasting
As Jesus fasted in the wilderness, many followers of Jesus also fast in some way during Lent as a way to grow in dependence on God and increasingly more aware of His leading.
A Word About Fasting
You also might consider fasting during this time. The Bible provides countless examples of God’s people fasting and praying in times they were seeking His move and/or to hear from Him. Pray and see if God might lead you to fast during this time.
Fasting is a biblical way to grow closer to God so that we can hear him more clearly. It opens our hearts up for him to renew us, prepare us, and guide us.
Biblical fasting involves giving up something we need, rely on in some way, or eliminating things that distract us from God, AND replacing that time, focus, and energy with God. We fast to draw close to God, hear him more clearly, and depend on His power rather than our own.
Why consider fasting?
Fasting is a discipline Jesus practiced and prioritized from the beginning. We can learn from Him. When we fast from something that we often depend on—as fuel, a distraction, reward, escape–our dependence on God increases as we look instead to Him for strength, patience, peace, wisdom, satisfaction… instead of the “something” we usually turn to.
We remember: Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness after His baptism. God’s people throughout time also fasted and prayed, e.g., Daniel, King David, Esther, the prophetess Anna, Elijah, the apostles in the early church in Acts, along with many others. The Prophets taught about fasting; see Isaiah 58 and Joel 2. Jesus teaches about fasting in Matthew 6.
How/What to fast?
Pray for God to guide you. A few examples might include choosing to fast one meal a day or a day a week, if health permits; taking a break from social media, doom-scrolling, online shopping, electronic games, or streaming shows/Netflix binges; or eliminating extra sweets, caffeine, alcohol, etc. When we find ourselves instinctively turning toward the “something” we are fasting, we can turn instead to God in prayer. Over time, our dependence on Him grows, and we also grow to be more sensitive to His leading and His voice. Again, most importantly, allow God to guide whether and what to fast.
Want to learn more about fasting? Check out this resource from Practicing the Way.
God is with us, hears us, provides for us, and loves us more than we can even imagine!
How might God be leading you?
2.27.26 | Breath Prayer
Another way to connect with God is Breath Prayer and allow Him to quiet our hearts and minds. During breath prayer, we shift our focus and attention toward God and welcome Him in; we become more aware of His presence with us and affirm His promises.
Breath Prayer is a practice of praying that uses our normal, rhythmic breathing as the foundation for short, repetitive prayers that invite God into quiet or chaotic moments of our days. The process is simple and over time, can grow into an ongoing practice that helps us connect with God as we move through our days. It involves breathing in slowly while quietly repeating a chosen phrase, then slowly exhaling, focusing on the words of a second, related phrase. This practice of praying along with our breathing connects us meaningfully with God and invites Him into our lived experience.
How? We breathe in, focusing on a phrase, heart and mind toward God; then breathe out, quietly focusing on another related phrase, promise or invitation. Repeat a few times (3, 5, 7 or more), breathing in slowly; then out, slowly.
Words? You can choose a short Scripture passage or simply speak your own words of prayer. Use any passage that is meaningful for you or any prayer of your own. A couple of examples are below.
Psalm 27: [inhale] Lord, you are my light and salvation; [exhale] I will not fear.
Psalm 23: [inhale] The Lord is my shepherd; [exhale] I have all that I need. (Or I shall not want)
Psalm 63: [inhale] God, you are my God; [exhale] I thirst for you.
Practicing Breath Prayer: Now take a moment to draw near through praying a breath prayer. Sit quietly with God. Draw near. Breathe in and out, and allow yourself to settle. Now breathe in, praying your chosen words in connection with Him; then out, praying the second phrase, remaining connected with Him. Repeat…. knowing He is with you as you breathe Him in and out…
However you choose to journey with Jesus during this season of Lent, know that He is with you and we are praying for you.