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A Prayer for Ukraine

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As the world watches the events unfolding in Ukraine, we want to remind our global Community of the power they have—the power of prayer.

Prayer brings hope.

Prayer unites.

Prayer strengthens.

Let’s join together and ask God to comfort, protect, and provide for the people of Ukraine.

God,

We need You—we always have.

You are our source of strength, and You tell us to give You all our concerns.

Bring protection and healing to the people of Ukraine. Show them that You are with them, and that You hear their prayers.

Please strengthen anyone who is feeling hurt, alone, or broken. Replace any feelings of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty with Your peace and hope.

Draw near to us as we draw near to You.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Save this to your Prayer List so you can continue to pray.

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We recognize that this time has created feelings of chaos and uncertainty around the world.

Wherever you are, remember that God promises to never leave or forsake those who draw near to Him. His children are never alone. You are not alone. And your future is held securely in His hands.

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What is Lent? 4 Different Ways to Practice

Mountain sunrise

Pause for a moment and look outside. What do you see? What makes you smile?

Whatever you just described, think about this: what you saw was always there — it was just waiting for you to pause and notice it.

That’s the basic purpose of Lent: to create space in the middle of life’s responsibilities to appreciate what’s always been there: God’s presence.

“…You are worried and troubled over so many things, but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41-42

What is Lent?

Lent is a 40-day period of making space for God leading up to Resurrection Sunday. Based on Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, Lent is an important tool that can help you stay attuned to God’s voice as you reflect on His sacrificial love.

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

Psalm 46:10

While Lent does include personal sacrifice, the goal of this time isn’t to “better” your life, but to center your life on what matters most: the One who made you and died for you.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Lent begins today. However you choose to practice it, we hope you’ll spend the next 40 days creating space in your soul to reflect on Jesus’ sacrificial suffering and the power of His resurrection.

Together, let’s make space for what matters.

4 Ways to Focus on God During Lent

1. Memorize the Verse of the Day

Our outlook on life changes when we get God’s Word inside of us. If you’ve always wanted to memorize Scripture but were never sure where to start, commit to memorizing the Verse of the Day for 40 days!

If you start today, you’ll know 40 passages by Resurrection Sunday, and you’ll be well on your way to establishing a lifelong habit.

View Verse of the Day

2. Try Guided Prayer

Prayer is simply an honest conversation between you and God. And, it’s a great discipline to begin during Lent. Becoming a person who prays confidently may take some practice, but you can get started by committing at least 10 minutes a day to prayer.

When you want to talk with God but you don’t know what to say, Guided Prayer can help you get started.

View Guided Prayer

3. Start a Lent Plan

One of the best ways to draw closer to God is by spending time in His Word. If you’re not sure where to start, pick a Lent Plan and complete one Plan day, every day, for all 40 days of Lent.

To get the most from your Plan, set up daily reminders in Plan settings. Then, invite a few trusted friends to join you and reflect together on what God is doing in your lives.

View Lent Plans

4. Practice Generosity

God modeled what generosity looks like when He sacrificed His greatest treasure for us. During the next 40 days, draw near to God through generosity.

There are lots of meaningful ways you can give financially to what God is doing throughout the world. Take a moment and ask God to show you how you can bless those around you.

Learn More About Generosity

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How are you preparing for Easter?

Mountain sunrise

You’re Invited

When you think about Lent, what words come to mind? Self-discipline? Sacrifice? Duty?

Lent starts today, and it’s a 40-day period of making space for God leading up to Easter. Every year, millions of Christians choose to give things up in order to put Jesus first.

Lent might seem like an obligation, but it’s actually an invitation. It’s about denying ourselves so we can learn to walk in God’s unforced rhythms of grace.

Between now and Easter Sunday, create space for what matters most. Invest a few minutes each day spending time with God. And, know that millions of people will be joining you, putting Jesus first.

Choose a Lent Plan:

More Lent Plans

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Want to learn more about how you can prepare your heart for Easter? Discover 4 Ways to Practice Lent.

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9 Ways to Respond to God’s Love

Heart graphic

It’s easy to feel bombarded with information about what it means to love and to be loved, with advice on everything from self-care to saving our marriages.

These messages tend to focus on self-serving, conditional love—love that can result in disappointment or confusion.

We have to remind ourselves that the template for true love isn’t found in cultural definitions, it was given to us by a God who represents the concept itself.

There is more.

God’s love is different from any other kind of love. In fact, the Bible says that God is love.

God sent His only Son to die for the sins of every person. There was only one reason for God to experience that kind of heartache: His love for us.

God didn’t need us, but He wanted us. He fought to give the furthest heart a gift we could never earn or deserve: eternal life. God’s love is unconditional, extravagant, and everlasting. And, it’s for everyone.

Love God.

It can be challenging to love others (and ourselves) if we don’t love God first.

Seeking God consistently is one of the best ways to learn about His perfect love, and to show Him devotion and honor in turn.

Loving God can look like:

  1. Getting to know Him by reading the Bible
  2. Honoring God in worship
  3. Having a conversation with God through prayer

Love yourself.

While there will always be areas of life where you’ll need to grow, allowing God’s love to transform the way you view yourself is essential.

God bought us with a price and calls us His own. He gives us a future full of hope, to carry out the good works He created us to do.

When we choose to respect and value ourselves, we choose to honor God.

3 ways to practice self-love:

  1. Create habits that nourish your mind, body, and spirit.
  2. Ask God to show you how He sees you.
  3. Set aside time to rest in God’s presence.

Love your neighbor.

When you see yourself the way God sees you, you can love others the way God loves you.

God intended healthy relationships to be compassionate, sacrificial, and forgiving. God wants us to love one another the way He loves us.

3 ways to love others:

  1. Pray for the people in your life.
  2. Serve someone with your time, talent, or finances.
  3. Be quick to listen, and to forgive.

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Want more ways to learn about God’s love, and how it translates to loving your neighbor as yourself?

Discover gives you a complete view of the content YouVersion offers. Simply search “love”, and we’ll help you explore Bible verses, Plans, Teaching Clips, and more.

Find Love

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