Five Lenten Practices for Responding to this Moment
Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. (Joel 2:1)*
As Lent begins, we find ourselves living in an alarming time in the United States. Elected officials and other forces daily threaten and diminish freedom, compassion, and care for neighbors. The season of Lent calls for focus on how our spiritual lives are deeply interwoven with social well-being. Love of God and love of neighbors cannot be separated.
With all this in mind, here are five suggestions for Lenten practices to respond to the times with spiritual practice and spiritual action. For each practice I’ve offered ideas and links to help you get started.
1) Pray for hungry children and contribute to feeding them
Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. (Joel 2:15-16)
- GIVE funds to feeding organizations such as World Relief that are standing in the gap created by US Federal funding cuts to USAID.
- VOLUNTEER with a local or global organization that specializes in feeding children such as World Renew. Or sponsor a child with World Vision.
- LOAN your funds and/or invite your faith community to join you in using a trusted microlending organization like KIVA. Amazing fact: borrowers will pay you back, and you can RE-LEND.
- PRAY by writing in your personal journal, in public prayers for worship, or by adopting a breath prayer such as Holy Parent [inhale], feed your children [exhale].
2) Protest the foreclosure of DEI programs and change your spending habits
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19)
- CUT spending in general, which is the fastest and easiest way to protest the harmful practices of big retailers. Try a “spend nothing” group.
- SPEND LOCALLY whenever possible.
- BOYCOTT stores and chains which cut “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)” policies and programs out of fear and self-protection. Shop instead with companies that value inclusion for customers, employees and suppliers.
- WRITE to stores and corporations you boycott and tell them why you are doing it. Join me at Lent @ The Writing Table to engage this work.**
3) Advocate for immigrants and know your rights
We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry. (II Corinthians 6:3)
- DO NO HARM is the first and most important step in caring for vulnerable neighbors, but it is not the same as “do nothing.”
- ADVOCATE for immigrants (and people assumed and treated like immigrants) by following the lead of organizations like Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
- LEARN the rights of every person (not only for citizens) when facing hostile attacks or state sponsored roundups. What would you say or do if enforcement officers knocked on your door this afternoon? Get training in your state. Be ready.
- WRITE, call, or meet with your elected representatives. State your concerns clearly and ask for support. Follow wisdom of seasoned advocates like MCC.
4) Support LGBTQIA+ youth and adults and learn bystander training
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6: 20-21)
- GIVE time or money to organizations in your city that house and offer services to lgbtiqa+ youth and young adults, especially those struggling to find places to be and belong. Or choose a national organization like the TREVOR Project that cares for the mental health and preventing suicide among lgbtiqa+ young people.
- TAKE active bystander training to be more prepared when you encounter harassment in public settings. Learn the 5 Ds of Bystander Intervention from “Right to Be.”
- PLAN for participation in a Pride event with your church, city, or denomination. It means so much when church leaders show up and show support. Even if the event is later in the year, make plans during Lent.
- WRITE personal notes of support and love to lgbtiqa+ members of your congregation or community just because. In a time of evaporating support, every kindness helps.
5) Discern your vocation and explore your calling
Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation! (II Corinthians 6:2)
- DISCERN your vocation and how it may be changing in this season of shifting politics and rending social fabric. Here are stories and questions to help you think through your vocation.
- EXPLORE the meanings and possibilities as well as the challenges, (such as blocked, delayed, conflicted callings) of vocation with me and Bonnie Miller-McLemore through the season of Lent.
- JOURNAL about how the world, and democracy and ministry are changing as well as how you will respond. Do that in a supportive community of pastors and professors, authors and poets, weekdays in Lent @ The Writing Table.
Join Lent @ The Writing Table 2025. The first morning is Ash Wednesday, March 5. We meet on Zoom and work together (sound and cameras off) for two 25 minute segments of time. The daily meetings continue through Good Friday, April 18. Learn more about Lent @ The Writing Table and save your seat today.
Learn more & Register for Lent @ WT- All the scripture references in this post come from the Revised Standard Lections for Ash Wednesday (Year C).
** if spending money to join the WT community for Lent is not within your budget, please reach out to us. We do not want cost to prevent you from joining us during Lent. Please write to [email protected] and we will set you up with a free or pay-as-you-can arrangement.
