Practicing Grace during Lent 2025
The purpose of the liturgical calendar is to draw us out of the pace and rhythm of our own, busy lives and draw us deeper into the life and mission of Christ and His body, the Church.
At The Table Church, we follow the rhythms of this calendar to provide a so-called “Rule of Life” for us as a church and to emphasize different aspects of our walk with Christ.
ASH WEDNESDAY & LENT
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Traditionally, Lent has been about preparing us all for the chief Feast of the Christian year, Easter. By observing and committing to intentional spiritual disciplines, we celebrate and enter into the Presence and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The three primary spiritual disciplines practiced during lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These disciplines are described by Jesus in Matthew 6:1-19.
I like to call them “Practices of Grace” because we don’t engage in them to earn grace but to put into practice the grace we have already received through Jesus.
What could the season of Lent look like for you and your family this year? Here are some helpful resources and ideas.
PRAYER
Weekly Compline Prayer (online)
Compline is a Christian prayer service that takes place at the end of the day, before going to sleep. Carve out some time during Lent and join us every Wednesday night (8:30-9:15 PM) on Zoom for a time of corporate prayer with a focus on contemplation and “practicing the presence of God.”Daily Personal Devotions
We recommend Lectio365, an app that takes you through a time of Scripture reflection and prayer during Lent (includes an audio version).Daily Family Devotions
Jessica Jones helped develop and edit a great tool for families to engage in daily prayer and discussion around key truths and teachings of the Bible (“catechism”). Download your free copy here and give it a try.Introduction to Christian Contemplation (April 7th, 2025)
Join us for a two hour introduction to Contemplation, an ancient form of prayer that focuses on the presence of God in our lives. Register here.
FASTING
In general, it is entirely up to you if and to what extent you would like to fast. Remember that the point of fasting is to use the time you would normally spend eating or doing other activities to engage with Jesus. Ideas include:
Fasting certain foods.
Fasting entertainment.
Fasting social media.
Fasting from bitterness, anger, and resentment by seeking reconciliation and forgiveness.
ALMSGIVING
Reflect on your own consumption during Lent and find ways to show acts of kindness by volunteering your time or donating money. Ideas include:
Consider giving financially to some of the local and global missions we support as a church (click here).
In-kind donations to the St. Francis Homeless shelter in St. Augustine.
Make or pay for a meal for someone in need.
Help a student at Picolata Crossing Elementary by signing up to be a mentor (time commitment: 30 minutes/week). Learn more.