If sacrifice is your preferred method of focusing of the Lord in the days leading up to Easter, go for it. Fast from whatever you feel is pulling you away from Him. But you can also proactively approach these days in efforts to improve yourself spiritually. I've listed 47 things that you can do, one each day, leading up to Easter Sunday. You don't necessarily have to do them in order (although the last seven do coincide with some events from the most important week in history). Perhaps these will revive your soul, encourage your spirit and grow the Kingdom in some God-glorifying way. Have fun! Praise His Name!
47 Faith Focuses during Lent (40 Day of Lent + 7 Sundays)
1) Read your Bible every day. Even if for a short while. Document over these next 47 days what the Lord teaches you through His Word.
2) Pray all throughout the day, as you wake up, mealtime,
before bed, devotion time – even at restaurants if you’re out to supper. And
ask the server how you can pray for them.
3) Do an anonymous random act of kindness in Christ’s name.
4) Write a thank you to someone for their service to Jesus.
5) Honor your parents in some way. Write them a love letter, do something in remembrance of them or in honor of them.
6) Give to a charity in Christ’s name.
7) Care for God’s Creation in some way – compost, plant a
tree, start a garden, clean the streets.
8) Find reasons to edify others throughout the day.
9) Spend some time in study – read a Christian biography,
take a new Bible study.
10) Podcast sermons to hear what others called by God are sharing.
11) Switch your radio to Christian music and
see what change it makes in your life.
12) Journal your prayers. Write down when God give a specific answer to prayer.
13) Find a devotional that works for you: couples, women's,
men's, family, beach, etc.
14) Ask the Lord to convict your heart in forgiveness. Ask
for forgiveness from those around you that you have wronged. Forgive those who’ve
wronged you.
15) Find a cause you are passionate about that involves helping
the oppressed.
16) Clean out your closets and donate to a local Good Will,
Salvation Army or thrift store.
17) When you grocery shop, pick up a few extra items for the
food pantry.
18) Visit someone who is lonely, in the hospital or a
nursing home.
19) Boldly speak to someone about Jesus Christ that you know could
really use Him in their life.
20) Watch a Bible DVD or
movie and have a discussion together about its accuracy, theme or message.
21) Sing praise songs to the Lord all day long.All. Day. Long.
22) Memorize Bible verses, or entire chapters of Scripture,
like Psalm 23, the Sermon on the Mount, Romans 8, 1 Cor. 13, etc.
23) Avoid watching garbage on TV. Yes, that may mean turning it off completely. Remember, garbage in, garbage out.
24) Write out your faith story for future generations to
read.
25) Ask the pastor: “What need does our church have that I
can fill?”
26) Ponder the names of God and praise Him for the name that
means the most to you today.
27) Take a good look in the mirror: What do you need to do
to improve your body as a temple for the Lord?
28) Count your blessings. Write down everything you have to
be thankful for.
29) Ponder God’s majesty by spending sometime tonight under
the stars. Look for constellations in the sky, watch for shooting stars, check
out the phase of the moon.
30) If your Bible is worn and filled with notes and
highlights, considering getting a new one or different version and reading it
with fresh eyes. If it’s not worn – open it up. The best kind of Bible is a
well-read one.
31) Whatever task you face today, do it as if serving the
Lord Himself, with joy, respect, grace, love and enthusiasm.
32) What has been the high of your day? Your low? What did
God teach you through both of those things?
33) Take a spiritual gifts test. See what your strengths are
and utilize them for God’s service.
34) Invite someone over for supper and learn more about them
as brothers and sisters in Christ.
35) Be creative today! Make something, paint something, fix
something, all for God’s glory and in His Name.
36) Go to the highest point in your town and look over the
vastness of God’s creation. What new things do you see?
37) Look up the author and back story of one of the old
hymns and sing it out, sing it out, sing it out!
38) Ask the Lord to nudge you about a particular person that
may need to hear from you today and then act on it.
39) Go the whole day being “third.” Putting God first, then
others, then yourself. Humbly let others go before you.
40) Read the story of the Exodus and participate in a
Passover Meal. See how Christ took the place of the Passover lamb.
41) Check out Biblical maps to see where the patriarchs
lived, where the 12 Tribes of Israel settled, how the Kingdom divided after
Solomon, where the Israelites went during the Diaspora, what the Holy Lands
looked like in Jesus time and what they look like today.
42) Do a spiritual inventory. Are you worshiping, reading the
Word, studying, serving others. Put it away to be opened a year from now and
see how you’ve grown spiritually.
43) When out to lunch – pay for someone else’s meal without
them knowing. Tell the server to tell them it was done in Jesus’ name, but not that you did it.
44) Take communion today in remembrance of Him.
45) Read the story of Christ’s arrest, trial and crucifixion
in all four gospels to get all their perspectives on this most important week
in history.
46) Put together an Easter treat for a friend – flowers, balloons,
candy and a Bible verse or devotion. Tell them how much Jesus loves them.
47) Dance before the Lord because Jesus Christ is risen
today! This is a day of completely glorifying the Lord! Hallelujah, Amen.
