Lenten Devotions | Audubon UMC

Pastor's Lenten Devotions

This Lent I’m not giving up coffee, chocolate, or late-night snacks. Instead, I’m giving up something harder — my hesitation. I’m already a day late! For the next 40 days, I’m choosing to step into social media not as noise, but as mission, embracing a 40 day lent devotional. I’ve realized Lent isn’t only about removing comforts; sometimes it’s about removing excuses. If the gospel is meant for people where they are… well, a lot of people are right here, scrolling at 11:37 PM wondering if hope still exists.

So each day I’ll be posting, reflecting, praying, and engaging — not because the internet needs more opinions, but because it needs more grace.Consider this my fast from fear. My surrender of awkwardness. My experiment in meeting people in the digital streets.

If you see me pop up more than usual, that’s intentional. For 40 days I’m leaning into online ministry — not to be louder, but to be present. Let’s see what God does when we stop avoiding the mission field in our pockets.

from Pastor Garrett

Day 1 https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18EknYazqV/

Day 2 “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful.” https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1anHRztRgU/

—Joel 2:13

Reflection:

Notice what God asks for here—not perfection, not promises, not polished prayers. Just return.

We tend to think we need to fix things before we come back to God. Clean up our habits. Get our thoughts together. Try harder this time. But God’s invitation is simpler and kinder than that.

“Return to Me,” God says. Not because you’ve earned it, but because this is who I am.

God hasn’t changed His heart toward you. He isn’t waiting with crossed arms. He is gracious and merciful—still. Always.

Lent gives us space to stop running, stop pretending, and come home again. Not halfway. Not carefully. But honestly.

Practice:

Write down one thing you’ve been carrying that you’re tired of holding alone.

Offer it to God with this prayer: “Here, Lord. I’m returning.”

Day 3: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BxNwZ3w6N/

—Psalm 51:10

Reflection:

We are very good at trying to manage our behavior. We are much less successful at changing our hearts.

That’s why this prayer matters. The psalmist doesn’t say, “Help me try harder.” He says, “God, do what only You can do.”

Lent reminds us that real change doesn’t start with effort—it starts with grace. God doesn’t patch us up; He renews us from the inside.

You don’t have to manufacture a better heart. You can ask for one.

The same God who created you knows how to renew you. And He hasn’t forgotten how.

Practice:

Place your hand over your heart and pray slowly:

“God, create in me what I cannot create on my own.”

Day 4: Shaped, Not Thrown Away https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18VAMYAssZ/

“We are the clay, and You are our potter.” —Isaiah 64:8

Reflection:

Clay only changes when it stays in the potter’s hands.

Lent isn’t about God giving up on us—it’s about God continuing His work. We are not discarded when we are messy or unfinished. We are shaped.

Sometimes the pressure we feel isn’t punishment—it’s formation. God is not rushing the process. He is patient, careful, and attentive.

The unchanging God is still shaping new life in us.

Practice:

Hold something ordinary—a mug, a stone, a piece of paper.

Pray: “God, shape me with care.”

Day 5: Following, One Day at a Time https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BiSWEywN2/

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” —Luke 9:23

Reflection:

Jesus doesn’t say, “Follow me once.” He says, daily.

That word matters. Faith isn’t something we complete—it’s something we practice. Some days we follow with confidence. Other days we shuffle behind Jesus with questions, doubts, and coffee we desperately need. Both still count.

Staying close to Jesus doesn’t mean having it all figured out. It means showing up again today. The unchanging Christ meets us in the ordinary rhythm of daily life and slowly shapes us as we walk with Him.

You don’t need a dramatic leap of faith today. You just need the next faithful step.

Practice:

Each morning this week, pray:

“Jesus, help me follow You today.”

Days 6 - 40 can be found at https://www.facebook.com/AudubonUMC/