Lent
Lent and Easter with children can present challenging topics for parents and children. Children ask difficult questions that make us struggle with our own faith at the same time that we try to authentically answer their questions. The Rev. Dr. Ellen Shephard has a helpful article called Dealing With Children's Hard Questions to help you explore ways to discuss these topics with your family.
Lent is SPRING TRAINING for disciples of the Risen Christ. It is our opportunity to engage more deeply in prayer and practices that shape us as the people of God and prepare us for Easter. Engage at least one practice with your family this Lent, and pray daily together as a family. A great place to start is by using Devotions for Individuals or Families beginning on page 136 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Lenten Practices
Lent Madness - is a fun and engaging way for people to explore the saints of the Church calendar. Each day a new set of saints compete on their way to the ultimate goal, the Golden Halo. See the bracket and make your daily vote while you learn about those we can model our lives after. Lent in a Bag - build a space for your family at home with this tool for creating a holy Lenten space. Grab one at church on Sunday! Prayer Box - find a box and cover it with plain paper. Decorate it with symbols of Lent and make sure to cut a hole in the top. Leave it on the table as a centerpiece with a stack of paper next to it. At the end of each week - or the end of Lent - you can open the box and share the prayers with each other. (God of My Heart: A Prayer Book for Youth by Shannon F. Kelly) Lenten Giving Calendar - an intentional calendar to engage Lenten practices as a family. |
Lent Prayer
God of all mercy, you love all that you have made. You forgive the sins of all who are truly sorry. Create and make in us clean hearts, that we, humbly confessing our sins and knowing our brokenness, may receive your forgiveness and blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. - Anne E. Kitch d365 - is a site for daily prayer for youth and young adults. In the season of Lent d365 offers Journey to the Cross, as a daily Lenten devotional. Use it daily on the web or download the app. |