40 Little Lenten Acts

Tomorrow it’s Shrove Tuesday with pancakes and feasting, then - whoosh - we’re into Lent!

I will miss carrying out the 40 acts from Stewardship because the usual mini-devotionals and many suggestions for creative giving are not happening this year. The idea has been to give out during Lent rather than give something up, with specific generous acts using our time and/or money for each of the 40 days. For several years, I’ve used it alongside a more traditional Lent devotional.

Rather than forget about it, I have put together my own very simple ‘giving out’ list which I would like to share with you having made it anonymous. A few of the acts need doorstep face-to-face contact with others, so if you decide to do something similar please always observe the rules and keep your distance etc. You will find plenty of things you do already but in my case itemising acts here helps me to be more consistent.

Week One

• Text friends - tell them they are special and I’m praying 
• Design and print cards to post to elderly relatives
• Put verse about God on social media (and each week!)
• Donate to charity providing warmth for others eg Shelter
• Buy a book by a struggling writer and/or encourage them
• For friends who have carers, check they are coming in and chase up if not
• Pray for church family and ACW

Week Two

• Find something valuable, perhaps jewellery, and give it away
• Check on neighbour’s welfare 
• Write and send cards to young children and families  
• Donate to food bank, if not physically then by sending money  (Trussell Trust)
• Write uplifting piece for the Church newsletter
• Offer to read someone’s manuscript
• Write and share prayers for those in government 

Week Three

• Review a book and put the review on booksellers’ websites
• Write note of thanks for a delivery person
• Write to someone saying what Christ has done 
• Buy flowers or small plants in food shopping and leave them on neighbours’ doorsteps
• Earmark favourite piece of quality clothing to give to charity after lockdown or to sell, giving any proceeds to charity
• Offer to be someone’s writing buddy 
• Pray for charities struggling to help people in other parts of world (and donate to Tearfund?)

Week Four

• Bring up neighbour’s dustbin on bin day or other small favour
• On walk today, take rubber gloves and dustbin bag to clear up rubbish
• Write thank you note to NHS worker or carer, and/or post thanks on social media
• Write poem or piece about generosity, for social media
• Buy second copy of a much-loved book, to give away
• Write piece about keeping safe in the pandemic
• Pray for those working in essential services including teaching

Week Five

• Check housebound friend has access to their usual reading materials, remedy if not
• Encourage others to be vaccinated as part of their effort towards eliminating COVID-19
• Blog about someone’s most recent book or promote in another way
• Write email or letter about an issue of justice or add name to petition
• Arrange a taxi or to take someone to a health appointment
• Ring those who are dealing with bereavement 
• Pray for Church leaders

Week Six

• Send Easter Card or message to people who are lonely, plus family
• Help someone in poverty (through CAP?)
• Give a neighbour hot cross buns with the Easter message 
• Review the 40 days list and find those  unfulfilled acts - put in diary to complete
• Pray for self and family, particularly for more generosity in the future.

 Have fun and remember 

       'One person gives freely, yet gains even more'  Proverbs 11:24

Annie Try is the author of the Dr Mike Lewis stories, published by Instant Apostle. Dr Mike Lewis is a fictional clinical psychologist whose clients have extraordinary adventures.