40 things you can do to heal and get closer to god this lent.
We can give up many things that will never change us interiorly. There are a lot of acts of service we can do that will never help us to confront everything we hide inside. We can say many prayers that will never really invite God into the depths of our hearts.
That’s why this Lent, I am daring you to go deeper.
Don’t let this opportunity to journey with Christ these next 40 days pass you by because, ultimately, the journey of Lent is a journey of healing and transformation.
Jesus embarked on this same journey over 2,000 years ago, and at the end of that journey, He was no longer a wounded body but a glorified body. That’s our hope by the end of these 40 days. We want to reflect Christ’s glorified body. We want to experience the healing, transformation, and transfiguration that leads us closer to Christ and to embody Christ.
For this to happen, we cannot remain on the surface. As we see from Jesus, true and lasting change occurs when we target the depths of our woundedness, vices, disordered attachments, trauma, and sin.
So whether you are starting your Lenten journey a little late, cannot fully commit to doing something for 40 days, or already have a long list of Lenten practices ready to go, I invite you to reflect on the ways God might be calling you to heal and immerse yourself into the deep waters of Christ’s healing and transformative love.
To help you reflect further, read this list and see if anything draws your attention and ignites your soul.
40 things you can do to heal and get closer to God this lent:
Write a letter to God and prayerfully write down how you think God would respond daily.
Go to the adoration chapel every week. Consider prostrating yourself on the floor (if permitted and doesn’t disrupt others) or sitting like a child and gazing at Jesus in wonder.
Think about 40 qualities of who God says you are and try challenging the enemy’s lies with God’s Truth (use this as a tool). Consider cutting each truth out and putting them into a bag. Mix them up and pull one out each day and reflect on it.
Think about 40 attributes of God the Father and try “re-parenting” or supporting the child within by modeling those attributes every day (use this as a tool). Consider cutting each truth out and putting them into a bag. Mix them up and pull one out each day and reflect on it.
Choose one thing you can be grateful for daily and journal about it. Consider using art or a picture to capture what you are thankful for.
Pray for someone you usually compare yourself to every day.
Pray before going on Social Media to guard your heart and express gratitude to God for what you see/ challenge yourself to affirm three people in their comments every time you go on.
Write to your inner child daily and ask God to help you better love and support him/her.
Donate an item you have used to make yourself “better,” feel more “beautiful,” or distract yourself that you know you don’t need.
Pray for someone you would like to forgive every day.
Intentionally serve someone who “doesn’t deserve it” or who angers you throughout lent.
Fast for someone who angers you once a week.
Get to know the story of the person you feel hurt by. Consider calling that person and asking them more personal questions each week.
Spend time every week serving your homeless community and get to know someone’s story each time you go.
Spend 5 minutes every day thanking God for the gift of your body and how He is calling you to better take care of it. Use your body while you pray. Ex: Hold yourself, put one hand on your heart, take deep breaths, sit on the floor, or hold something grounding.
Listen to a song that captures your mind, body, and soul, and pray with the words every day.
Plan three balanced meals daily, and when you feel a distressing emotion instead of eating, offer that distressing emotion up to God for a particular intention.
Spend time in nature every week and meditate on God’s goodness in the world.
Do one activity of “play” (running, going to the park, playing a board game, playing with your children) every week.
Do something artistic every week. Consider creating an art journal for Lent.
Be intentional with what you put in your body. Consider eating clean each time you eat, put away all other distractions, invite God into your awareness, and focus on the textures, tastes, and smells.
Pray with Psalms all of lent or create your own Psalms that you can intentionally pray with or sing every day.
Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary weekly and meditate on how your wounds relate and connect with Jesus and Mary’s wounds.
Pray the Stations of the Cross weekly and meditate on how your wounds relate and connect with Jesus and Mary’s wounds.
Do some workout or physical activity at least three times a week when you usually feel sad or alone.
Spend 5 minutes daily looking at a divine image that comforts you. Consider even creating a prayer space that helps you to feel safe and secure.
Complete a guided meditation every week that helps your body and mind to relax and your heart to feel closer to Jesus.
Learn about a particular social justice issue related to your trauma and devote your time supporting the cause.
Find time every day to rest with God (get creative).
Write your own litany that targets your specific wounds, and pray it every day. Use the Litany of Trust as a tool.
Join a healing support group that integrates faith and mental health. Consider joining the TwoHeartsforHer Lenten group.
Read a mental health book that integrates faith and mental health.
Receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Focus on how you have not cared for your body, protected your mind, nourished your soul, or guarded your heart.
Create a safe place you can go to in your mind with God and meditate in that safe place each day.
Go on a walk with Jesus once a week and talk to God.
Print out a picture of Jesus on the Cross, write down your specific wounds on the Cross, and reflect on the image daily.
Spend 5 minutes every day in silence and breathe. Invite the Holy Spirit in with each breath.
Write down your negative thoughts daily and work with God to challenge each belief with His Truth.
If you are a mom and are nursing, reflect on the verse “This is my body that has been given up for you” every day.
Take out a crucifix and put it somewhere you can see every day. Write down your worries on paper and put them at the foot of the Cross each day.