Throughout biblical history, we see 40 days of testing, waiting, and drawing closer to God. Ash Wednesday and the 40 Days of Lent typically mark a spiritual journey for Christians, though it’s often associated with Catholic tradition. It’s a time of prayer, service, sacrifice, and self-examination.  Look beyond the face of religion and into the heart …and see if God is calling you for the next 40 days. Does He want your attention and your heart focused on Him?

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40-day spiritual journeys are well-known in the Bible.  In Genesis 7, Noah spent 40 days and nights on a boat while God destroyed everything he had created. In Exodus 34, Moses was on the mountain with God 40 days without eating bread or drinking water, while God wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 16:35, the Israelites ate manna for 40 days until they arrived in the promised land. They then suffered 40 years in the wilderness for disobeying God. In Deut 2:7,  we’re reminded, “The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything. “

Jesus was called by God and immediately a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. Mark 1:11-13 NIV

Below are some ideas about spending 40 days with God.

Remember to choose a DAILY sacrifice or event for Lent. Giving up surfing, for example, is not something that happens daily. Look for something you do daily! -Christine Abraham

40 Days of Lent

Financial Fast- One year during 40 days of Lent, my husband and I decided to give up (fast from)  all luxury expenses. Since we use budgeting software, we were able to review 12 months of luxury expenses (pizza, movies, coffee drinks, dining out, etc.) and estimate the daily cost. We multiplied the cost by 40 days, then gave up these luxuries, promising to God that we would give the money saved to charity. In the final two weeks, my husband lost his job, and we were tempted to keep the money. By faith, we donated the money and entrusted our finances to God. By blessing others, we were blessed by God. We learned how to live on less and continued to give up luxuries until he found new employment.  It was truly amazing! You can learn more about this in the book Fasting for Financial Breakthrough by Elmer Towns. Learn More: https://www.biblecafe.org/financial-fast/

Food- Another year, we practiced 40 days of Lent by traditional fasting. We gave up certain foods or ate at specific times of day. The concept is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. One word of caution when fasting: watch your blood sugar! I ended up hospitalized after 40 days of liquids until 5 pm and light meals in the evening. It turns out I had hypoglycemia, and the artificial sweeteners in those high-calorie coffee drinks made me incredibly sick! Please know your threshold and keep your health. You can learn more about this in the popular book Fasting: Opening the Door to a More Deeper, More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship with God by Jentezen Franklin. Recently, I fasted 40 days from coffee (my daily addiction) and grew in wisdom as I prayed. It was during a 40-day coffee fast that our Bible Cafe University (BCU) membership site was crafted!

Events- My children are making decisions about their own level of participation. They might fast from television, texting, Facebook, or specific foods such as sweets, pizza, or fast food. I’ve been fasting from technology each week, filling my day with scripture, fellowship, and prayer. Unplug from Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and other social sites… and plug in to Jesus. Finish a Bible study you never completed. Devote some time to Him…and be richly blessed.

Digital Detox– Unplug from the addiction of social media and technology. Fill the time with reading your Bible, worship music, journaling, or reading a faith-based book. Learn more here: https://www.biblecafe.org/social-media-fasting/

40 Days of Prayer

Devotionals– Now is a good time to start reading a devotional and praying each day. One year, I read ten devotionals a day, for 40 days. Read one of the most popular devotionals, or discover a new author and book. There are also devotionals specific to Lent or 40-day fasting.

Psalms– Pick up your bible during the 40 days of Lent, and pray through the Psalms each day, or read a commentary book about Psalms. As you read the verses, focus your mind on how you can apply the verses to your life today. Select a few favorites and memorize them.

Prayer Walk: Each day when you exercise (or just driving to work or carpooling), go on a “prayer walk.” Notice your surroundings and pray for those people around you. Pray for your neighbors as you walk past their homes, pray for the person parked at the stoplight beside you, pray for those people in your path. Read the book PrayerWalk: Becoming a Woman of Prayer, Power, and Strength by Janet Holm McHenry.

Body Prayer– During the next 40 days of Lent, pray through your body. Start at your feet and toes and pray something similar to this: “Lord, examine my toes and feet. Search for anything that is not pleasing to you, find anything that is toxic and does not honor you. Wash over my feet and toes with the blood of Jesus and allow my feet and toes to honor Him.” Repeat for each body part, from toes to head, as you lie in bed and prepare to fall asleep.

Read– Turn off the television and read your Bible or Christian books for 40 days.

Memorize Scripture– Get some index cards and write out scripture verses to memorize. I use a spiral notebook, small enough to fit in my handbag so that I can carry it with me. There are also apps for your smartphone or computer that help memorize scripture. Could you make sure the verse is visible so you can read it often during the week?

Pray for a Child– If you are a parent or grandparent, pray for your children each day for the next 40 days. Pray for your nieces and nephews. If you sponsor a child through Compassion International, Gospel of Asia, or World Vision, then spend the next 40 days praying for your child. Pray for children who are waiting to be adopted. For the next 40 days, find children you can pray for.

Pray for a Relationship- Pray for your spouse, friend, boyfriend, or a relationship. Focus each day on the same person and spend 40 days praying for them.

Pray for Your Coworkers: Print a copy of the company directory or write down a few names on paper, and pray for these people over the next 40 days. Pray for them to know Jesus, for peace and hope in their lives, and for God to reveal Himself to them. Pray with expectation for goodness, peace, joy, and hope in their lives.

Pray the Names of God: In the Experiencing God workbook, there is a long list of God’s names in Scripture. Print this list and pray daily on His name and character. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Him through His name. You can also find books on the names of God.

40 Days of Praise

Worship Music-  Change the radio station in your car or on your computer to Christian music and listen exclusively for the next 40 days of Lent.  Scan YouTube for Christian songs and save your favorites in your profile. Listen to www.KLOVE.com on your computer or in the car. When I’m carpooling, my kids will say, “Just to warn you, my Mom likes to listen to this stuff!” Often their friends reply, “Don’t worry, my Mom does it too!”  We also play Christian music on our television when we’re at home… You can find it on satellite or cable by searching through the channels. If you like alternative and rock, listen to www.AIR1.com 

Journal– Get a fresh notebook and journal your gratitude to God. Read the popular book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and decide to start noticing the gifts God has bestowed upon you. This is especially wise if you are facing unemployment, financial worries, health problems, or relationship troubles. Count your blessings for the next 40 days. Create a Spiritual Journal by listing prayer requests and Bible study notes during the next 40 days.

Beauty Treatments– When is the last time you used your body as praise to God? Created in His image…when you look in the mirror, do you see the child He loves or something less beautiful in your own eyes? Explore opportunities to honor your body and treat yourself as a son or daughter of the King. What would you eat as His child? How would you dress? What would you do to maintain the body He created for you? Put this thought in your heart, pray over it, and see whether you need “40 days of beauty treatments” in the name of the Lord.  Start praying Psalm 139 each day and commit to being fearfully and wonderfully made. Exercise, eat right, and take care of the body God designed for you.

40 Days of Giving

Giving Letters – In our modern day, it’s rare to receive a letter, let alone a Christmas letter. Most people use the speed of text messages, email, and Facebook posts. Why not break tradition and mail a handwritten letter, once a day, for 40 days? Mail to a prison ministry, a senior home, the teachers at your child’s school, or a network of friends.

Giving Joy– Read a book about Joy, and find ways to share the love of Christ with others. Please be sure to look for simple ways to make a difference.

Cooking– My mother-in-law calls me her “Meals on Wheels” because I bring her homemade food. If you are making a family meal, double the batch of spaghetti, soup, stew, or lasagna. Package this with a loaf of bread and deliver it to your neighbors, family member, or coworker. Use the element of surprise to make their day special by bringing an unexpected meal. Make a batch of cookies, brownies, or cupcakes, and each day during the week, find someone you can share them with.

Giving Your Time: Spend 40 days giving your time and attention to your friend, spouse, children, or other family members. Pull yourself away from Facebook and social media, from the distractions of the television or internet…and center your time on someone else. Make a list of numbers 1-40, and for each day, write the name of someone you are going to spend time with. You can make a phone call, send an email, mail a card, or visit in person. Take the focus off yourself and your needs and give time to someone else.

These are just a few ideas to start you thinking about your own 40-day spiritual journey. The decision to spend 40 days focused on God is yours alone. Pray over this and see if you are led to do something or possibly wait for another time. Know that during your 40 days with God, you will attract the attention of the enemy and he will throw flaming arrows your way. Stand firm with the shield of faith and keep your eyes and heart on God.

9 Fasts From the Holy Bible

1. Loose the bonds of wickedness- Disciples fast to break addiction and sin
2. Undo heavy burdens- Ezra fast to solve problems
3. Let the oppressed go free- Samuel fast for evangelism and revival
4. Break every yoke- Elijah fasted to break discouragement and burnout
5. Share your bread with the hungry- Widows fast to supply physical necessities to the poor
6. Your light shall break forth- Paul fasted for insight and decision-making
7. Healing shall spring forth- Daniel fast for health and healing
8. Righteousness shall go before you- John the Baptist fasted for influence and testimony
9. Glory of God shall be your rear guard- Esther fasted for spiritual warfare and protection from the evil one

(source: Dr. Elmer Towns)

Originally posted February 7, 2016, and reposted in the Christian Post.