Praying the Lord’s Prayer: A 40-Day Lent Journey

The Power of the Lord’s Prayer in Lent

Lent is a season of repentance, reflection, and renewal. It is never too late to get started and it is a great practice for every day Christian living.  I would like to introduce the Lord’s Prayer as a model for deepening your relationship with God during Lent. The Lord’s Prayer as found in Matthew 6:9-13 reads, “This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. (usccb.org)

Fasting and abstinence are the foundations of celebrating Lent. 

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. Also, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. What is fasting and abstinence? Catholic directives can be found on the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website. This is a great resource for all things Catholic.

The norms (as found on the USCCB website) on “fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.” Abstinence refers to meat. This includes all red meat and white meat. Fish is a great alternative and that is why there are so many fish frys during the Lenten Season.

Each section of the Lord’s Prayer aligns with the key themes of Lent: repentance, dependence, provision, forgiveness, and spiritual strength. I have created a reading plan called,  “40-Day Reading Plan:The Lord’s Prayer.”  You can request a copy for yourself at https://www.michelegunn.com/40-day-reading-plan. Let’s grow in faith together!! Following is the Lord’s Prayer broken down into six weeks for the 40 Days of Lent.

Week 1: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name”

This week focuses on adoration and aligning with God’s Holiness. Start Lent (or any time) by recognizing God’s sovereignty and setting a foundation of worship.Spend time in daily worship and praise. Fast from distractions that take away from God’s presence. 

Read Psalms that glorify God’s holiness. For example, Psalm 145, “Praise. Of David. 

I will extol you, my God and king; I will bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you; I will praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD and worthy of much praise, whose grandeur is beyond understanding. One generation praises your deeds to the next and proclaims your mighty works. They speak of the splendor of your majestic glory, 

tell of your wonderful deeds. They speak of the power of your awesome acts and recount your great deeds. They celebrate your abounding goodness and joyfully sing of your justice. 

The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. The LORD is good to all, compassionate toward all your works. All your works give you thanks, LORD 

and your faithful bless you. They speak of the glory of your reign and tell of your mighty works, Making known to the sons of men your mighty acts, the majestic glory of your rule. 

Your reign is a reign for all ages, your dominion for all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all his words, and loving in all his works. The LORD supports all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look hopefully to you; you give them their food in due season. You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is just in all his ways, merciful in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he destroys.

My mouth will speak the praises of the LORD; all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.” (uccb.org)

Week 2: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”

This week focuses on surrendering to God’s Will. Lent is a time to seek alignment with God’s plans rather than our own. Pray for a heart that desires God’s will. Take inventory of areas where you resist surrendering control. Consider fasting from something that symbolizes self-will. This could be TV, social media or other personal indulgences.

Read and reflect on Romans 12:2, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (usccb.org)

Week 3: “Give us this day our daily bread”

This week focuses on dependence on God’s Provision. Recognize that God is the source of all we need, spiritually and physically. Practice gratitude by keeping a Lent journal of daily blessings. Serve others through acts of kindness, giving food or support to those in need.

Meditate on Philippians 4:19, “My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Week 4: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us”

This week focuses on repentance and forgiveness. Lent calls for a heart examination, seeking God’s forgiveness and extending grace to others. Make a list of areas where you need to repent and ask God for forgiveness. This next one may be hard. Commit to forgiving someone you’ve held resentment against. Oftentimes, family can be the hardest to forgive. You can find some tips in this article titled, “Forgiving Family: Healing Through Faith and Letting Go.”

Meditate on Jesus’ call to forgive. Read Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. “ (usccb.org)

Week 5: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”

This week focuses on spiritual warfare and strength against temptation. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness resisting temptation. The Lenten season invites us to do the same. Identify your biggest spiritual struggles and create a strategy for overcoming them. Fast from a specific habit or indulgence that leads to spiritual complacency.

Read Ephesians 6:10-18 about the armor of God. “Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones” (usccb.org)

Week 6 (Holy Week): “For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever”

This week focuses on living in resurrection hope. As Lent concludes, shift focus to Christ’s victory over sin and death. Spend time reflecting on the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. Write a personal commitment to carry Lent’s spiritual lessons beyond Easter.

Participate in Holy Week services. Spend time with the readings. Meditate on John 11:25, ”Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,” (usccb.org)

Practical Applications for the 40 Days of Lent

Here are some great, practical applications for the forty days of Lent.

1. Daily Prayer Challenge: Pray the Lord’s Prayer each morning and meditate on one phrase per day. 

2. Scripture Reading Plan: Follow passages that align with the themes of each week. Look on my website to request the reading plan. It is never too late to start!

3. Fasting and Self-Denial: Choose a meaningful fast to deepen reliance on God. Remember that this is something between you and God. It can be food, drink, or material things. It can also be intentional action.

4. Journaling and Reflection: Keep a daily Lent journal. Record insights, struggles, and growth. You can also meditate on these entries to determine better ways to move forward.

5. Acts of Service: Practice charity, kindness, and sharing God’s love in practical ways. There are many obvious ways to get involved during holiday seasons. The fact is, people are in need all year long.

Living Out the Lord’s Prayer Beyond Lent

Continue praying with the Lord’s Prayer as a spiritual guide beyond the Lenten season. This is great for Lent, but as Christians, our faith is our life, every day. Remember that Easter is a celebration of Christ’s triumph. This is a great time to embrace a renewed, faith-filled life.

Meditate on James 4:8, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds.” (usccb.org)