Lenten Devotions 2022
Lent is a season of 40 days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2, and ends the Saturday before Easter. It is a time of preparation, self-examination, and reflection as we journey toward the cross.
The devotions in this collection, designed so that you can use one for each week of Lent, focus on ways we can honor Jesus by caring for others. We will post a new devotion each week.
At Habitat for Humanity, part of our success comes from creating and implementing carefully thought-out plans. That is critical for any organization. But may we never get so immersed in our work and in our plans that we don’t hear Jesus call our names. This Lenten season reminds us to be alert so that when Jesus shakes things up, we are ready to follow Him faithfully.
The resurrection story of Easter is a wonderful mystery that makes all things new and brings hope to all humankind. I’ve seen foretastes of this hope in the work that Habitat for Humanity does around the world. People of all walks of life are lifted up by a good place to live, and communities are inspired to create better environments for children to grow into all that God intended.
As we journey through the season of Lent, may we look for the extraordinary in the routine. May we not allow our perspective to blind us to the needs of others. May we anticipate the Lord’s favor with hearts full of gratitude.
Let’s take the time to acknowledge this new life, to become more aware of this special gift. Praise the Lord in celebration of what this new life has to offer: spiritual liberation! Blessings of abundance radiate from this new life. This divine newness in Jesus needs not to be opposed but embraced.
A heart of stone — or a stubborn heart, as the Good News Translation calls it — is one that has no mercy, that does not discern between what is good and what is bad, that does not mind mistreating or even killing a neighbor. In short, a man with a heart of stone is one far from God.
As we enter the season of Lent, we are blessed with this wonderful opportunity to reflect and celebrate God’s unfathomable love for us. We are given time for prayer and solitude. We are encouraged to leave our comfort zone and exercise self-discipline through fasting. We are invited to do good and love more.
Week One of Habitat's Lenten Devotions: Every need that is met is an example of God’s great compassion. As we move through the 40 days of Lent to the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus, may we remember that we are serving alongside a faithful God who will never fail us.
A very important element of the Lenten season is becoming aware of not only the suffering and sacrifice of Christ but also the suffering of others. Between now and Good Friday, choose one way you can increase your giving to those in need. It could be through extra financial offerings, donating goods you no longer need or increasing your personal time commitment through volunteering.
