Most of us have heard of giving something up for Lent. I wrote a book about it. But this year, I am sharing 40 Things NOT to give up for Lent. These are not things to let go of, but things to hold on to. This list has one thing for each day of the season and will serve as the outline for this year’s daily devotion. If you are not on the email list to receive my daily devotion, you can sign up by visiting: philressler.com/mailing-list.
The list takes you through each week of the season of Lent. You will notice that each week only has six items. That is because Sundays are not included in the 40-day count for Lent. Sunday devotions will introduce the theme and Verse of the week.
So here is the list:
Week of Ash Wednesday: The Greatest of These
“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13, ESV)
- Faith – In what or whom do you trust? (Matthew 17:20)
- Hope – More than wishful thinking, but a sure confidence. (Hebrews 11:1)
- Love – The greatest. (John 3:16)
- Jesus – He is faithful, provides hope, and is the embodiment of love. (1 John 4:8)
Week 1 Peace
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27, ESV)
- God’s Word – Heaven and earth may pass away, but God’s words never will. (see Matthew 24:35)
- Gratitude – It’s the antidote to worry, anger, and misery. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
- Patience – Take a deep breath. (James 5:7)
- Rest – Your value to God is not in your doing, but your being. (Matthew 11:29)
- Listening – When you are talking, you are not listening. (Matthew 7:24)
- Silence – Be still and know that God reigns. (Psalm 46:10)
Week 2 Strength
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13, ESV)
- Courage – We are more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37)
- Persistence – Good things come to those who wait. (Luke 18:7)
- Discipline – It produces freedom. (Hebrews 12:11)
- Focus – Single mindedness goes further than scatter brain. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
- Simplicity – Less is more. (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
- Humility – God lifts up the humble. (James 4:10)
Week 3 Growth
Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:7–8, ESV)
- Learning – There is always something new to learn, no matter how much I master. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
- Discernment – Not everything you read on the Internet is true. (John 14:6)
- New experiences – Get outside your comfort zone. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Failure – Success does not come without failure. (Philippians 3:13-14)
- Fitness – Stewardship of your body (1 Corinthians 16:19)
- Vision – See where you are going. (Ephesians 1:18-19)
Week 4 Relationships
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one… (John 17:22, ESV)
- People – I can gain the whole world, but if I have no one to share it with . . . (Matthew 16:26)
- Grace – You have been given much. (Colossians 3:12-13)
- Forgiveness – Let it go. (Ephesians 4:32)
- Adventure – Share the ride. (Philippians 4:14)
- Respect – The engine that makes relationships run. (Ephesians 5:21)
- Accountability – One day we all will be held to account. Why not start now? (Romans 14:12)
Week 5 Serving
But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” (Matthew 20:26b–28, ESV)
- Compassion – Seek to understand before being understood. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
- Prayer – The world needs it. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
- Generosity – The more generous you sow, the more you will reap. (2 Corinthians 9:6)
- Purpose – You are still breathing. God’s got you here for a reason. (Ephesians 2:10)
- Compliments – No one ever regretted complimenting rather than criticizing. (Colossians 3:16)
- Gifts & Abilities – Don’t withhold your blessing from others. (Ephesians 4:11-14)
Holy Week Commitment
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1, ESV)
- Worship – God is worthy of all. (Revelation 4:10-11)
- Anger – Fight for what is right. Stand against injustice. (Romans 12:9)
- Sacrifice – No greater love than a man lay down his life. (John 15:13)
- Community – Jesus commanded that we love one another as he loves us. (Hebrews 10:25)
- Grief – Even Jesus wept. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
- Joy – It’s more than being happy. (Philippians 4:4)
So that is the 40 Things NOT to Give up for Lent. What would you add? Share in the comments below. If you want to check out the 40 Things to Give up for Lent, visit philressler.com/40-things-to-give-up-for-lent-the-list.
Sue says
Thank you Pastor Phil. You continue to inspire and remind us of God’s love.
Anna Marie Horn says
Love this structure and breakdown of how our focus should be during Lent.
Mary Anne O'Keefe Burton says
When my 3 daughters were growing up, this is very similar in thought as to what I suggested to them to “Give Up For Lent”, now many years later , my oldest daughter just sent this link to me!!
God Bless
Annette Moore says
Really quite inspiring. Thsnks