Lent “Pray-Fast-Give” Printable
By Katherine Bogner
Ash Wednesday is fast approaching, and while I have my own goals for this Lent, I also seek to guide the Lenten experiences of my students. I have some classroom activities in place that we do each Lent (you can see many of them under the Church Year tab), but I tend to create something new each year to help the students’ individual prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Last year it was these student created lists based on the Works of Mercy, and another year it was focused on the Stations of the Cross. This year I wanted to challenge the students to pray, fast, and give each day.
I created a printable that easily makes three pockets to hold ideas for these three marks of Lent. I also brainstormed a list of possible kid-friendly ways they can pray, fast, and give. You (or your kids) could also create your own ideas and write them on small cards or strips of paper. I would suggest that then each child pulls one idea from each pocket each morning and has the goal of completing that sacrifice or prayer by the end of the day. Then, the next morning, they choose three new things. I think this short term focus can help them be successful over the course of the long 40 days, and it also can stretch them in a new way each day, leaving room for the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts.
