WEEK ONE

March 5
Psalm 51:1-4, 10

Have mercy on me, God, according to your faithful love! Wipe away my wrongdoings according to your great compassion!  Wash me completely clean of my guilt; purify me from my sin!  Because I know my wrongdoings, my sin is always right in front of me.  I’ve sinned against you – you alone.  I’ve committed evil in your sight.  That’s why you are justified when you render your verdict, completely correct when you issue your judgment.  Create a clean heart for me, God; put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me!

 

March 6
Matthew 6:1-2a

“Be careful that you don’t practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.  Whenever you give to the poor, don’t blow your trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they may get praise from people.”

 

March 7
Matthew 6:19-21

“Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them.  Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them.  Where your treasure is, there  your heart will be also.”

 

March 8
Isaiah 58:5-8

Is this the kind of fast I choose, a day of self-affliction, of bending one’s head like a reed and of lying down in mourning clothing and ashes?  Is this what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?  Isn’t this the fast I choose:  releasing wicked restraints, untying the ropes of a yoke, setting free the mistreated, and breaking every yoke?  Isn’t it sharing your bread with the hungry and bringing the homeless poor into your house, covering the naked when you see them, and not hiding from your own family?  Then your light will break out like the dawn, and you will be healed quickly.  Your own righteousness will walk before you, and the Lord’s glory will be your rear guard.

 

March 9
Symbols of Lent and Easter
The Rooster

The rooster reminds us of Peter’s betrayal of Jesus that is referenced in all four of the Gospel writings.  This betrayal of Jesus by the man upon whom Christianity was to be built was very upsetting, but Jesus knew that it would happen. The rooster symbol reminds us that it is always easier to say we will remain faithful than it is to actually remain faithful when the going gets tough.  However, the rooster also reminds us that God knows this and that if we ask, we will be forgiven.

Source: SYMBOLS OF FAITH, Abingdon Press 2001

 

WEEK TWO

March 10
Luke 4:1-2a

Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. There he was tempted for forty days by the devil.

Prayer: Breathe deeply. Name a reoccurring temptation that prevents you from being all you can be and offer it to God.

March 11
Luke 4:2b-4

He ate nothing during those days and afterward Jesus was starving.  The devil said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”

Prayer:  Reflect upon ways you are experiencing fear around not having enough.  Ask God to enable your trust and to rely upon God’s grace, love and provision.

March 12
Luke 4:5-8

Next the devil led him to a high place and showed him in a single instant all the kingdoms of the world. The devil said, “I will give you this whole domain and the glory of all these kingdoms. It’s been entrusted to me and I can give it to anyone I want. Therefore, if you will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It’s written, You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.”

Prayer: Talk to God in your voice. Pray to God to reveal to you any tempting shortcuts and to give you the strength to be loyal to Jesus Christ.

March 13
Luke 4:9-12

The devil brought him into Jerusalem and stood him at the highest point of the temple.  He said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down from here; for it’s written:  He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.”  Jesus answered, “It’s been said, Don’t test the Lord your God.

Prayer: Take 10 deep breaths.  As you breathe in whisper the word “Faith.” As you breath out whisper the word “Doubt.”

March 14
Luke 4:13

After finishing every temptation, the devil departed from him until the next opportunity.

Prayer: God, I give thanks for your faithfulness. Reveal my patterns of temptation and ways for me to rely on You. Amen.

March 15
Romans 10:9-13

Because if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and in your heart you have faith that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  Trusting with the heart leads to righteousness, and confessing with the mouth leads to salvation. The scripture says, All who have faith in him won’t be put to shame. There is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord is Lord of all and gives richly to all who call on him.  All who call on the Lord’s name will be saved.

Prayer: Breathe in deeply and invite God into the places where you rely on yourself rather than God.

March 16
Symbols of Lent and Easter
Moneybag and Coins

Judas was considered the treasurer of the group of Disciples so a moneybag would be appropriate for his symbol.  However, the moneybag and coins really represent the thirty pieces of silver Judas received for his betrayal of Jesus.

Source: SYMBOLS OF FAITH, Abingdon Press 2001

 

Week 3

March 17
Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Should I fear anyone? The Lord is a fortress protecting my life.  Should I be frightened of anything?

Prayer: In your prayer, name the places where you can claim faith.

March 18
Psalm 27:4-5

I have asked one thing from the Lord – it’s all I seek:  to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, seeing the Lord’s beauty and constantly adoring his temple. Because he will shelter me in his own dwelling during troubling times; he will hide me in a secret place in his own tent; he will set me up high, safe on a rock.

Prayer:  Ask God how you can practically live in God’s Presence today. Intentionally “seek” God’s beauty. When you see his handiwork, share your gratitude.

March 19
Genesis 15:2-5

But Abram said, “Lord God, what can you possibly give me, since I still have no children? The head of my household is Eliezer, a man from Damascus.”  He continued, “Since you haven’t given me any children, the head of my household will be my heir.” The Lord’s word came immediately to him, “This man will not be your heir. Your heir will definitely be your very own biological child.” Then he brought Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars if you think you can count them.” He continued, “This is how many children you will have.”

Prayer: Talk to God in your voice about the situation or circumstance that looks impossible.  Look around  and survey all that God has made.

 

March 20
Philippians 3:17-19

Brothers and sisters, become imitators of me and watch those who live this way – you can use us as models. As I have told you many times and now say with deep sadness, many people live as enemies of the cross.  Their lives end with destruction.  Their god is their stomach, and they take pride in their disgrace because their thoughts focus on earthly things.

Prayer: Contact a person who has shaped your faith and whose life exemplifies faith in Jesus Christ and tell them how they have impacted you.  If they are not present, offer a prayer of gratitude for their impact.

March 21
Philippians 3:20-4:1

Our citizenship is in heaven. We look forward to a savior that comes from there – the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform our humble bodies so that they are like his glorious body, by the power that also makes him able to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters whom I love and miss, who are my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord.

Prayer: Reflect upon the reality that someday you will pass from this existence and be transformed into new life that you’ll receive.

March 22
Luke 13:34-35

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who were sent to you!  How often I have wanted to gather your people just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.  But you didn’t want that.  Look, your house is abandoned.  I tell you, you won’t see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessings on the one who comes in the Lord’s name.”

Prayer:  Ask God for forgiveness and for the strength to trust in the way of peace.

March 23
Symbols of Lent and Easter
Nails

As symbols, nails represent the nails that were used to crucify Jesus.  Nails remind us of how real the suffering and death of Jesus was.

Source: SYMBOLS OF FAITH, Abingdon Press 2001