The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Welcome to the first week of our 40-day Lenten Prayer journey. This week, we are looking at the heavy lifting we do when we try to control our lives, our reputations, and our futures.

The Word for the Week

Read: John 1:1-5, 10-13

 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made… Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

The Reflection: Grasping vs. Receiving

In the Garden of Eden, humanity tried to grasp status and wisdom to become “like God.” We wanted the steering wheel. But in the opening of John’s Gospel, we see a different way to live.

John reminds us that Jesus—the Word—was there at the beginning. God is the Creator, Jesus is the Light; we are the created. He is the Light; we are those who walk in it. Our “Human Impulse” tells us that if we don’t control the outcome, everything will fall apart. But Jesus invites us to a different identity: Children of God.

A child doesn’t have to control the household, provide the meals, or map out the future. A child simply receives the care of the parent. This week, we practice moving from “Grasping” to “Receiving.”

Family Friendly Conversation Starter

The “Director” Game:

Have one person try to “direct” everyone else in the room to sit, stand, or move exactly how they want for two minutes.

• Ask the Director: Was it exhausting trying to make everyone do what you wanted?
• Ask the Group: Did it feel good to be controlled?
• The Big Idea: Jesus is the only “Director” who leads with perfect love. When we let Him lead, we can all breathe easier!

The Week 1 Lenten Challenge(s)

Pick one a day, for the whole week (your choice!) and journal/reflect one of your experiences.

The “Check-In” Fast

To practice releasing our grip on the world, we invite you to try a Fast from the Illusion of Control. Often, we “white-knuckle” our lives by constantly checking for updates—news, social media, work emails, or even tracking apps. We think that by knowing more, we are managing more. This week, we invite you to choose one of the following practices to create space for God’s peace:

• The “First Hour” Rule: Do not check your phone, news, or email for the first hour of your day. Instead, start with the breath prayer: “Lord, I receive this day from You; I do not have to create it myself.”
• The “Silent Commute”: Turn off the radio or podcasts while driving or walking. Practice being “un-productive” for 10 minutes, trusting that the world will keep turning without your constant attention.
•  The “Open Calendar” Reset: Look at your to-do list for the week. Identify one thing you are doing out of a fear of “what will happen if I don’t.” If possible, delegate it, reschedule it, or simply let it go, trusting God with the outcome.

The Goal: Every time you feel the “itch” to check or manage, let that be a physical reminder to say: “Jesus, I trust You with this.”