“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
If you’re feeling pressured to observe Lent as a yearly ritual or obligation, let me offer a different perspective—a grace-filled perspective with a focus on releasing and receiving. For married couples, Lent can be a powerful time to release old, unhealthy habits in exchange for new and nurturing practices.
As writer Aubrey Sampson so beautifully describes, “When we observe Lent, we’re acknowledging that some things need to die. Old patterns. False beliefs. Ways we’ve protected ourselves that no longer serve us. And God loves us enough to let those deaths happen, because he knows what resurrection looks like. And he wants to speak resurrection over every area of our lives.”
This year, allow God to speak resurrection life into your marriage like never before. Whether you complete all 40 days or not, observe it through the lens of grace, releasing what doesn’t belong while receiving God’s innumerable blessings.
Give More Time to Jesus
One of the key practices of Lent is fasting, based on Jesus’ time in the wilderness, as mentioned in Matthew 4:1-2. “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
When couples choose to fast from food, substances, or time-consuming habits, temptations will arise. Therefore, it’s crucial to pair fasting with more time in prayer, worship, and the Word.
Your “time in the wilderness” can include more time in your prayer closet, away from everyday distractions and temptations. It can also be a good time to memorize a chapter of the Bible together.
- Choose your favorite Bible app and listen to the selected passage.
- Quiz each other and turn memorization into a friendly competition.
- Journal the Scriptures for greater recall.
I love the NLT version of Psalm 119:56: “This is how I spend my life: obeying your commandments.” More time with Jesus is always a good practice, whether we’re commemorating Lent or simply trying to grow in our relationship with Christ and each other.
Give More Attention to Your Spouse
Sometimes, we become so focused on our personal goals that we neglect the needs of our loved ones, namely, our spouse. Think back to the start of the New Year when all you could think about was getting healthy, saving more money, or achieving that goal. Lent can feel similar in that it requires us to die to our flesh, which can become all-consuming and fizzle out before we really get started.
But what could happen if your Lenten focus was to love and serve your spouse more intentionally? To give them your undivided attention? This, in and of itself, is a form of self-denial because we’re putting someone else’s needs above our own.
Philippians 2:1-4 says, “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Give More of God’s Blessings to Others
Lent is preparation for one of the most blessed celebrations of the year—Easter. But as we prepare, let’s receive God’s blessings with open hands to bless others from His abundance. Here are a few practical ideas:
- Share a monetary blessing with someone in need, such as an elderly neighbor or single mom.
- Bless your spouse with a gift they wouldn’t buy for themselves, such as a ring, locket, or keepsake item.
- Spend time serving your community, perhaps at an Easter event where you can share the Gospel.
Writer Keri Eichberger says, “I hope you feel so full of God’s good blessings that you are overflowing with excitement to pour it out. And I hope you do just that.” Make Lent the time of year that you willingly pour out blessings to others. I pray this devotion encourages you to implement new practices and create new habits of releasing and receiving.
Let’s Pray: Gracious God, as my spouse and I observe Lent, please let it be from hearts of love and grace. Remove all legalism or ritual and give us a yearning for more of You. We remember Your perfect sacrifice for us, and we are eternally grateful. Thank You for dying for our sins so that we can live! Help us enter this beautiful season with joy and peace, receiving Your blessings and sharing them with others. Praise be to Your holy name! Amen.
Application: Journal your thoughts and beliefs about Lent, including your family traditions and the new things you’d like to implement this year.
Challenge: Bless your spouse with a thoughtful gift this Lenten season. Choose something that will help them feel loved, valued, and more focused on Christ.
Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Cassidy Rowell
Jennifer Waddle is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where you can find her books and sign up for her weekly post, Discouragement Doesn’t Win. She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—her favorite place on earth.
We hope you and your spouse are challenged and encouraged by today’s devotional! For more of this premium marriage devotional, visit here.
