Lent family prayer resources

We also have a Easter family prayer resource to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.

Lent family prayer journey

Pray together for a different intention each day of Lent, using our family prayer intention sheet. As you pray colour in each leaf, everyday from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.

Doughnut challenge

Lent is a time where we think about Jesus' temptations in the desert and renew our efforts to resist temptation in our own lives.

Set a family challenge of attempting to eat a doughnut without licking your lips at all! Afterwards talk about how difficult this temptation was to resist and use this as a way in to discussing temptation together.

When might we be tempted to make choices that are wrong? To do things that hurt others, to damage the earth or not to help other people in need? How can we overcome these temptations?

Family prayer cross

Make a large paper or cardboard cross and spend some time decorating it with your family’s prayers. You may want to write or draw prayers on it for people you know as well as for situations affecting all our global family, sch as hunger. You could also add newspaper cuttings or photographs. Leave the cross out in a communal area so you can continue to add to throughout the season. We will come back to this cross in Eastertide.

Saying sorry

Lent is a time when we try to get closer to God. One of the ways we can do this is by saying sorry for the times when we have made the wrong choices. These activities will help your family to reflect on God’s forgiveness and to prepare together for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

• Use this examination of conscience individually or reflect on the questions together as a family.

• Gather round a sandpit and take turns writing the word “sorry” in the sand. As you do so think of some of the things you want to say sorry to God for. Smooth over the sand and celebrate the fact that God always forgives us and gives us another chance.

• Each write or draw what you are sorry for on a piece of paper. When you have finished you could either tear the paper into little bits or scrunch it up before putting it in the bin. As you destroy the paper remember how God’s love takes away our sins.

• On a sunny day, dip paint brushes in water and write the word “sorry” on the garden path, on a fence or a wall. As it dries, the word will disappear reminding us how God makes all things new.

• When we make the wrong choices it can keep us from being close to God and to the people we care about. Gather together some pebbles and place them on top of each other to build a little pebble wall. With each pebble that you place on the wall, think about something that you are sorry for. When you have all finished adding pebbles, knock down your pebble wall together, to show that nothing we have done can keep us from God’s love.

When you are ready, attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Conversation cards

Lent is an opportunity to grow closer to God and to others. Take some time to use the Lent discussion cards below as a family and have some meaningful conversations during the season.