“Rejoice always, pray always, and give thanks in all situations; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Being grateful is a strong state of mind. Because we are thankful, our prayers are no longer just about what we need, but also about what He has already given us. If we want to follow the teachings of the Apostle Paul, we should always pray and be thankful, not just when things are going well.
Why is it so important to be thankful when you pray? Because it makes our faith stronger. Let’s thank God for everything, even if we don’t see the answer right away. This shows that we believe in His good plan. When we are thankful, we can see how God is working in our lives in ways we did not expect.
Today, stop and thank God for all the good things in your life, no matter how big or small. Write down the things you’re thankful for and say them out loud as a prayer. Let being thankful shape your relationship with God. It will make your time with Him more joyful and trustworthy.
Question: How often do you thank God when you pray? Perhaps you can thank Him for something today, even if you haven’t heard back yet.
Fasting & Giving: Fast from unnecessary purchases. Donate what you would have spent.
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from God’s mouth,” says the Bible. — Matthew 4:4
In the Bible, there is a strong link between fasting and prayer. Before Jesus started His mission, He went without food for forty days in the wilderness, depending on God to keep Him alive. In the Bible, fasting is used to help people seek God with more focus, humility, and trust.
We don’t fast to show how strong we are or to earn God’s favor. We fast to make room for God. Giving up something, like food, social media, or something else that takes our attention away, helps us remember that God is the only one who gives us life. When we fast, the noise goes away, and we can hear Him better.
As you go through Lent, you might want to think about fasting as a way to pray. This doesn’t have to be very hard. Maybe it’s missing a meal once a week or blocking out time to pray without any other activities. When you’re hungry or thirsty, let it remind you to turn to God.
Thought: Is there something going on in your life that keeps you from praying? How can fasting help you pay more attention to God’s presence and care? Today, take some time to pray about what you might need to let go of.
Fasting & Giving:Give money or groceries to a local food pantry.
Scripture says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33
While God is very concerned about our needs, wants, and worries, we frequently center our prayers on them. Jesus encourages us to pray with a broader perspective. The Lord commands us to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done,” in the Lord’s Prayer. This serves as a reminder that God’s larger plan for the world should guide our prayers.
Praying for God’s kingdom entails asking God to accomplish his will in our lives, in our communities, and globally, in addition to our own personal blessings. It entails pleading with God to act through us in order to provide love where hatred exists, peace where strife exists, and justice where oppression exists. It entails offering up prayers for change in the world as well as in our own hearts.
Spend a moment praying for something bigger than yourself today. “How can I help bring Your kingdom here on earth?” ask God.
Thought: How can you change the focus of your prayers from your own wants to God’s kingdom? What aspect of God’s work are you being called to?
Fasting & Giving: Fast from distractions during meals. Eat in silence and reflect on God’s provision.
“The Spirit also supports us when we are weak. The Spirit himself makes silent pleas on our behalf even when we are unsure of what we should pray for.” — Romans 8:26
There are times in life when we are at a loss for words—when we are too overwhelmed by grief, bewilderment, or doubt to know how to pray. However, when we are at a loss for words, God has provided us with an assistant, the Holy Spirit, who prays on our behalf.
We are not alone when we pray. We are inhabited by the Spirit of God, who directs our prayers, makes intercession for us, and aligns our hearts with the Father’s will. The Holy Spirit brings our deepest desires before the throne of grace, even when we feel weak or cut off from God.
Spend some time today asking the Holy Spirit to be a part of your prayer life. Seek His guidance for your heart, words, and thoughts. If you find it difficult to pray, just sit quietly and let the Spirit to speak on your behalf. Have faith that God is working even while you are silent.
Considering: Have you ever been uncertain about your prayers? How can you strengthen your relationship with God and depend more on the Holy Spirit to direct your prayers?
Fasting & Giving:Give away something valuable to someone in need. Trust God to provide for you.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done,”— Luke 22:42
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus uttered one of the most potent petitions in history. “Not my will, but Yours be done,” He said in surrender as He faced the cross and poured out His heart to the Father, asking if there was another way.
Asking God for what we want is only one aspect of true prayer; another is putting our trust in Him to do what He wills. In prayer, surrender is giving God our plans, our wants, and our control because we trust that His method is always best. This does not imply that we cease asking; rather, it means that we ask with open arms, ready to receive whatever it is that God decides to provide.
Do you find it difficult to let go of things in your life? Are you struggling to let go of unanswered prayers, relationships, dreams, or fears? Take a cue from Jesus today. Present your wishes to God, but conclude your petition by saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” just as He did.
Think about it: What do you need to give up to God today? Even if you don’t understand, can you have faith that His will is always for your benefit?
Fasting & Giving: Give up the desire to control outcomes. Surrender one situation to God.
We read in the Gospel: “Jesus then used a parable to teach his disciples to never give up and to always pray.” — Luke 18:1
Prayer is a way of life, not just a moment. Jesus encourages us to pray consistently. Doing so increases our trust and strengthens our faith. It is not because God is hesitant to answer. In the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1–8), a widow repeatedly begs a judge. She continues to do this until he ultimately gives her justice. Jesus uses this parable to show us how much more our loving Father will respond to our persistence. If an unjust judge responds to persistence, then our Father certainly will.
Still, praying consistently isn’t meant to wear God down. It’s about remaining in touch with Him even when things seem to be taking a while. God’s timeline occasionally differs from ours. He occasionally responds with “wait” or “I have something better.” However, He never fails to listen, care, and react with love.
Consider a prayer you have become tired of saying today. Bring it to God once more rather than giving up. Even when you can’t see anything, have faith that He is working.
Reflection: Have you stopped asking God for something in prayer? How can you reaffirm your commitment to prayer while having faith in His perfect timing?
Fast & Giving: Fast from impatience. Pray for someone you find difficult to love.
Jesus said: “Therefore I tell you, believe that you have received whatever you ask for in prayer, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24
Prayer is more than just talking to God; it’s also having faith that He will listen and answer. Jesus instructs us that we must pray with faith—that is, without hesitation or doubt, but with the conviction that God can. Praying with faith does not guarantee that we will receive all of our requests, but it does demonstrate our faith in God’s goodness and wisdom, even in the absence of prompt results.
Aligning our hearts with God’s will is the essence of faith in prayer. We give up our wishes when we pray with faith because we trust that God knows what is best for us. We have faith that His plans are bigger than ours, even if they are delayed or denied.
Think about a situation in your life when you might not have as much trust in prayer as you would like to. Do you find it difficult to trust that God is hearing you? Are you scared to make a bold question? Give Him your doubts. You can pray with confidence because you know that God will always answer in a way that is best for you.
Thought: In your faith, what is one thing you must present to God today? When prayers don’t seem to be answered, how can you develop trust?
Fasting & Giving: Fast from worrying about the future. Trust God with one specific concern.
“My soul pants for you, my God, just as the deer pants for streams of water.” — Psalm 42:1
With its unvarnished and honest pleas that convey joy, sadness, trust, fear, praise, and repentance, the Psalms are frequently referred to be the Bible’s prayer book. The Psalms provide us with phrases to present to God when we are at a loss for words. They serve as a reminder that prayer is about coming as we are, not about saying the correct things.
In every stage of life, David, the poet of several Psalms, gave his all to God. He cried in times of sorrow (Psalm 13:1-2), asked for pardon in times of failure (Psalm 51:1-2), and gave thanks in times of triumph (Psalm 18:1-3). Whatever he had to deal with, he prayed about it all to God.
Pick a Psalm that speaks to you today; it could be one of trust, lament, or gratitude. Take your time reading it and use it as a private prayer. Allow the words of Scripture to lead you to a closer relationship with God.
Thought: Which Psalm resonates with you right now? In what ways might the Psalms enhance your Lent prayer life? Think about committing a verse to memory so you can pray it all day long.
Fasting and Giving: Give your time to someone in need. Call a lonely friend or visit someone.
Here is an organized list of Psalms by Topic to guide your prayers:
✨ Praise (Worshiping God’s greatness and majesty)
Psalm 8 – The glory of God in creation
Psalm 19 – The heavens declare the glory of God
Psalm 29 – The power of God’s voice
Psalm 47 – God reigns over all the earth
Psalm 103 – Bless the Lord, O my soul
Psalm 150 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord
💔 Lament (Crying out to God in pain or distress)
Psalm 13 – How long, O Lord?
Psalm 22 – My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?
Psalm 42 – Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Psalm 77 – I cried out to God for help
Psalm 88 – A cry from deep suffering
Psalm 130 – Out of the depths I cry to You, Lord
🙏 Gratitude (Thanksgiving for God’s blessings)
Psalm 9 – I will give thanks to You, Lord
Psalm 23 – The Lord is my Shepherd
Psalm 30 – You turned my mourning into dancing
Psalm 34 – Taste and see that the Lord is good
Psalm 92 – It is good to give thanks to the Lord
Psalm 136 – His love endures forever
🛡️ Trust (Confidence in God’s guidance and protection)
Psalm 16 – You will not abandon me
Psalm 27 – The Lord is my light and my salvation
Psalm 46 – God is our refuge and strength
Psalm 56 – When I am afraid, I will trust in You
Psalm 91 – He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
“O God, create in me a pure heart and renew in me a steadfast spirit.” — Psalm 51:10
Repentance and a return to God are the main goals of Lent. In addition to requesting benefits, prayer also entails asking for forgiveness and letting God change us. In Psalm 51, King David begged God for forgiveness and a new heart after he sinned. He realized that genuine repentance involves a strong desire to change rather than just stating “I’m sorry.”
In prayer, repentance is an act of humility. It is admitting our shortcomings while being confident in God’s mercy and not afraid. God is waiting for our restoration, not for our condemnation. He is dependable in purifying and renewing us when we approach Him with an open heart.
Spend a moment today praying sincerely for repentance. Ask God to show you any areas that need renewal, any sin, or any resentment. Knowing that God’s grace surpasses all of our shortcomings, let today be a period of spiritual purification.
Consider: In what aspect of your life do you require the transformative grace of God? Today, are you prepared to present it to Him in repentance?
Fasting and Giving: Fast from complaining. Offer up any difficulty as a prayer for others.
Day 5: “Give Us This Day” (Part 2) of the Lord’s Prayer
“Give us our daily bread today,” says the scripture. — Matthew 6:11 Jesus instructs us to honor God’s name before guiding us to rely on him for our everyday need. “Give us today our daily bread” serves as a reminder that we are not self-sufficient and that we need on God daily for both spiritual and material needs.
Jesus asks us to trust God for today in a world that encourages us to worry about the future. God provides for us in ways we might not always notice, just as He gave the Israelites manna in the wilderness, providing them just what they needed every day. This prayer acknowledges that all we own is a gift from God and is an act of humility and faith.
However, “daily bread” is more than just food. “I am the bread of life,” declared Jesus (John 6:35). Spiritual nutrition is our greatest need, and only Christ can fully satiate our souls’ need.
Thought: Do you trust in God’s supply or in your own power today? Give Him thanks for providing for your material requirements as well as your spiritual upkeep in Christ. How may your everyday reliance on Him increase?
Fasting And Giving: Fast from excessive food portions. Offer the savings to a food charity.
Vita Dinamica: Dynamic Life 