C&K Collaboration for Lent 2023
Cover Art & Photography throughout Prayerful Reflections by Ellie VerGowe
The Courageous & Kind writing team recently collaborated with Julia Styles from Spiritual Direction with Julia + 45 other women from across the country to put together Prayerful Reflections 2023, a collection of devotions aimed as helping women through their spiritual journey during the Lenten season.
Prayerful Reflections is a daily resource for connecting with God and the larger Christian community during the season of Lent, the 45 days prior to Easter. Inspired by the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, or sacred listening, each daily reflection will be an opportunity to Read the Bible, Reflect on the message, Respond to what we have heard, and Rest in the love of God. This devotional could be read independently or with a community. If you would like to connect virtually, the reflections are posted daily at Spiritual Direction with Julia at www.spiritualdirectionwithjulia.com/blog.
Lent is the solemn religious observance in the liturgical year between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday to remember the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert, and enduring temptation by Satan before beginning His public ministry. Following Lent, Easter and Resurrection Sunday is celebrated, a foundational day of the Christ faith!
The word Lent comes from lencten, meaning “lengthen” and refers to the lengthening days of Spring. For many, Lent is a practice and pilgrimage to Easter.
It is easy to think of Lent as a period of time to “go without” or “do better” for God, but it is so much more, and truly a time to reflect and respond with God, as an opportunity to designate time to intentionally tune our hearts to the Lord.
Lent can be observed in many ways such as fasting, Bible study, prayer, mediation of Scripture, confession, worship, celebration, and rest. Each of these is designed not for “self-help or self-improvement” where we focus solely on ourselves, but to lift our eyes up to the heavens, and draw us near to God in His hope, truth, and love.
We pray that you will take this season to allow God to grow your walk of faith in Him; learning to trust and love Him more, as we await the celebration of Resurrection Sunday and Easter!
To read further about Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Season, look at this blog post from Christ Church United Methodist in Memphis, TN.