Lent Focus # 3 Almsgiving & Prayer Go Hand in Hand
One of the three pillars of Lent is “almsgiving,” an outdated word which simply means giving charitably to those in need. It is a practice encouraged in the Gospels.
Another pillar of Lent is prayer. I am reminded this week almsgiving and prayer walk hand in hand together beautifully.
At the beginning of this season of Lent, I made a list of a few ways in which I can incorporate almsgiving and prayer. I hesitate to say what I am doing because I believe the most effective giving is what a person does privately and not for show. I share these ideas with you because often I receive feedback from readers who say they have been encouraged by some of my examples. We learn so much from one another!
These are a few ideas from my Lent 2022 list:
Calling or sending a note to several people I know are grieving, lonely, going through a discouraging season, or may simply be blessed by a few words of affirmation. Praying before and after my contact with each.
I’ve scheduled an appointment to give blood at our local blood bank, praying for the person who has a need for blood and will receive mine.
Donating items to an organization I know helps needy folks in our community. During this Lent, I have assembled different outfits from donated items, putting combinations like a pair of pants, a shirt, piece of jewelry, jacket, shoes, scarf, or purse into individual bags. This has been fun and has personalized giving, reminding me to also pray for a victim of domestic violence who managed to escape an abusive relationship with only the clothes she’s wearing or a single mom trying to find something decent to wear for a job interview.
Finally, a critical need so apparent to all of us during this season of Lent. Ron and I have increased charitable giving to a highly reputable organization that is working to help Ukrainian refugees. As I watch the heartbreaking news on television, our act of “almsgiving” reminds me to pray for these precious people and for peace to come to this devastated region.
It’s tempting to wonder if little acts of giving make a difference in the larger scheme of life—especially when the suffering is large scale and unimaginable. I am convinced every small gift, every kind word, every act of generosity done because I love God and want to do a better job loving those who have been created in the image of God (Imago Dei) matters.
I spied this little church on a gorgeous autumn day. It was tucked away on a back road somewhere between Massachusetts and Upstate New York. “Ron, you’ve got to get a picture!” My patient husband found a turn around on the narrow country road so he could capture a photo of this sweet house of worship.
Blessings on your journey through the season of Lent,
