Forty days and 40 prompts

Being able to digitally connect with our communities is not only helpful for communication, but also can be another way to engage our community in spiritual practices.

Lent gives us an opportunity to take up a faith practice for 40 days, and one simple way we can help our communities connect with this liturgical practice can be to offer an email/text/messaging of a prompt for each day.

Of course, make sure you ask whether they would like communication from you every day (making it a sign-up option is a good place to start), and then commit yourself to sending a prompt each day. Not only does this help your community engage in this spiritual practice, but taking the time to send a prompt every day becomes a spiritual practice for you, the sender, as well.
But what could you possibly send?

Here are two options below that you might like to follow along – or you can create your own reflections tailored to suit your communities.

Option 1 – A reflective prompt for each day.

• What am I grateful for today in my faith journey?
• How can I demonstrate love and kindness to others today?
• In what ways did I rely on God’s strength instead of my own?
• What challenges or difficulties did I face, and how did my faith guide me through them?
• Is there someone I need to forgive or seek forgiveness from today?
• How did I prioritise prayer and reflection in my daily routine?
• What scripture or spiritual reading inspired or spoke to me today?
• How can I be a positive influence or share my faith with others?
• In what moments did I feel God’s presence or guidance today?
• What lessons or insights did I gain from any setbacks or struggles?
• Did I actively seek opportunities for generosity and selflessness today?
• How did I express gratitude for the blessings in my life?
• Did I take time for silence and solitude to connect with God today?
• What virtues or qualities did I cultivate in my interactions with others?
• How did I live out my faith in practical ways today?
• What steps did I take to grow spiritually or deepen my relationship with God?
• Did I practice humility and acknowledge my dependence on God?
• How did I respond to moments of stress or anxiety with faith and trust?
• Have I asked God for guidance in my decisions today?
• Did I actively listen for God’s voice amid daily activities?
• What opportunities did I seize to share the message of faith with others?
• How did I prioritize time for worship or communal prayer today?
• Did I seek reconciliation in any broken relationships or conflicts?
• How did I integrate my faith into my work or daily responsibilities?
• Have I examined my conscience and sought God’s mercy in the sacrament of reconciliation?
• What moments allowed me to experience joy and gratitude in my faith today?
• How did I foster a sense of peace in my heart and mind?
• Did I choose patience and understanding in challenging situations?
• What can I do to strengthen my commitment to living a virtuous life?
• How did I nourish my spiritual wellbeing through scripture and prayer today?
• Did I strive for simplicity and detachment from material concerns?
• How did I respond to opportunities for growth and learning in my faith?
• What can I do to bring God’s love into my family or community today?
• Have I asked for God’s guidance and wisdom in my decision-making?
• How did I exemplify trust in God’s plan, especially in uncertain situations?
• Did I show compassion and empathy to those who may be struggling?
• How did I foster a sense of gratitude for the beauty and wonder of creation?
• What actions did I take to be a positive reflection of my faith to others?
• How did I care for my physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing today?
• What specific intentions or prayers do I want to bring to God before I end my day?

Option 2 – A scripture for each day to serve as a meditative prompt.

• “Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Mark 12:31
• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” – Proverbs 3:5
• “Do not be anxious about anything.” – Philippians 4:6
• “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13
• “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” – Psalm 23:1
• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.” – John 3:16
• “Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
• “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace …” – Galatians 5:22-23
• “Let your light shine before others.” – Matthew 5:16
• “Seek first the kingdom of God.” – Matthew 6:33
• “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” – John 14:6
• “Give thanks in all circumstances.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
• “The Lord is my strength and my shield.” – Psalm 28:7
• “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” – Proverbs 15:1
• “Blessed are the peacemakers.” – Matthew 5:9
• “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
• “Train up a child in the way he should go.” – Proverbs 22:6
• “Let everything be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14
• “Be strong and courageous.” – Joshua 1:9
• “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” – Proverbs 9:10
• “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1
• “Do not be conformed to this world.” – Romans 12:2
• “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
• “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” – Proverbs 17:22
• “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21
• “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:3
• “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
• “But the fruit of the Spirit is … faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23
• “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit.” – Philippians 2:3
• “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
• “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.” – Philippians 4:5
• “In all things God works for the good of those who love him.” – Romans 8:28
• “But the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7
• “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” – Colossians 3:16
• “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
• “But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13
• “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.” – 1 John 4:16
• “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
• “And let us not grow weary of doing good.” – Galatians 6:9
• “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” – Isaiah 40:8

I hope this can be a simple digital practice that reaps deep reflection for your community across Lent.