The Dwelling Church will be using these community practices during the season of Lent and we invite you to journey toward Resurrection Sunday alongside us. We are encouraging our people to practice various things daily, weekly, and in community. These practices are not meant to be a burden or a way to earn God’s favor. They are intended to remind us of God’s work in the world, align our hearts with God’s, and move us out into God’s mission to redeem all things. Practicing alongside others (a church, a small group, or family) allows us to process what we are experiencing and learn from others.
Daily Practices
+ Practice 5 (or more) minutes of silence
+ Pray for your church and community
+ Pray the Prayer of Examen (see below)
+ Write a note of encouragement or make a phone call to one person
Weekly Practices
+ Gather for corporate worship
+ Fast one meal a week (we invite you to join us in fasting Wednesday lunches)
+ Bake a dessert or make a meal or give a small gift to one person/family
+ Memorize the weekly Scripture (listed below)
+ Chose 1 or 2 of the Additional Practices listed below
Additional Practices (choose 1-2 a week)
+ Set aside a percentage of your income and donate it to a good cause
+ Leave your phone at home for a day
+ Host someone for a meal or coffee
+ Make a prayer chain and pull one piece off each week/day
+ Don’t buy anything that you don’t need
+ Go for a walk and pray for your neighborhood
+ Disconnect from cable news or social media or both
+ Listen only to worship music this week
+ Don’t eat out
+ Volunteer somewhere
+ Donate snacks for Adams Elementary students
+ Leave the TV off for a day or two or seven
+ Read a Psalm a day
+ Fast from gossip and insensitive comments about others.
+ Read the Gospel of Mark in one sitting
+ Pray the Lord’s Prayer before dinner or bed
+ Let people around you know you are a Christian (in a natural, unforced way)
+ Declutter: Find 7 items each day this week to donate or throw away
Scripture Memorization for Lent
Practice learning Scripture. Recite it, write it, discuss it with others. Let Scripture shape our lives.
Week 1 – Lamentations 3:22-23 (CEB)
Certainly the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through! They are renewed every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
Week 2 – 1 John 1:9 (CEB)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong.
Week 3 – 2 Peter 1:3 (CEB)
By his divine power the Lord has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of the one who called us by his own honor and glory.
Week 4 – 2 Corinthians 5:21 (CEB)
God caused the one who didn’t know sin to be sin for our sake so that through him we could become the righteousness of God.
Week 5 – Isaiah 41:10 (CEB)
Don’t fear, because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.
Week 6 – Romans 5:8 (CEB)
God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
The Examen Prayer
The Examen is a old prayer used around the world to help people examine where God has been present throughout their day.
- Become aware of God’s presence. Where did I see God today?
- Review the day with gratitude. What am I thankful for today?
- Pay attention to your emotions. What did I feel today?
- Choose one feature of the day and pray from it. What should I pray for?
- Look toward tomorrow. How do I feel about tomorrow?
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