A Marriage-Based Lenten Plan
3 Ways to do Lent for your marriage
Transcript
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3 WAYS TO DO LENT
A MARRIAGE-BASED LENTEN PLAN
Lent has begun and it’s the perfect time to establish healthy new habits that will support our marriage and deepen our spiritual life. Here are three quick ways to live lent well with a marriage focus.
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PRAY
FOR YOUR SPOUSE, DAILY
Prayer – Pray every day for your spouse, for your marriage and be a better spouse. Here’s a simple prayer you can use.
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FAST
FROM CRITICISM…FOR THE WHOLE OF LENT
Fasting – Fast from criticism for the whole of Lent. And no days off on Sunday for this one!
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It’s actually liberating!
WHEN WE STOP LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO BLAME
Really, it’s so liberating! When we surrender the right (some people think it’s an obligation) to criticise, we stop looking for someone to blame. When things go wrong we’re more likely to approach it calmly and less likely to get uptight about who’s at fault. We relax and enjoy life more …and so does our spouse!
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GIVE
WITHOUT EXPECTING A RETURN
Almsgiving – Our wedding vows call us to approach our marriage in the spirit of self-giving service. In the same way that we don’t expect a kick back when we give financially to a charity, once a week give something to your spouse without expectation of pay back.
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TRULY GIVE…
SOMETHING NICE FOR YOUR SPOUSE
Do something nice for him or her according to what you know they would really appreciate – a back rub, some free time to read a book, a night off cooking, a car wash etc.
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MAKE A GOOD LENT
AND DO SOMETHING FOR YOUR MARRIAGE TOO!
And by the way, don’t let the non-participation of your spouse be an excuse – these Lenten tasks can be done by any husband or wife on their own initiative.
