40 Prayers for 40 Days: Creating a List of Intentions as a Lenten Observance
A few years ago, when trying to decide on a Lenten discipline, I somehow came up with the idea to gather a list of 40 different prayer intentions. It would give me a different person or situation to focus on every day. I’m not entirely sure how I got the idea (it may have come on the tail end of an equally interesting idea I’d seen and done where you choose 40 people and write each one a letter, which I also highly recommend). However it came to me, it has since become one of my favorite Lenten observances.
In general, I have found I am not very good at praying for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I do pray for myself. I can occasionally muster up the dedication to pray a novena for a personal intention (and, when I have succeeded, they usually pay off in beautiful ways). Many of my times in front of the Blessed Sacrament have brought out cries of my heart which I know were guided by the Holy Spirit. But still, when a friend asks, “Have you prayed about it?” More often than not, my answer is “no.” Sometimes, when a situation in my life is particularly overwhelming, I ask for prayers from others, but can’t seem to produce my own. Whatever the reason, praying for my own intentions doesn’t always come easily or leave me feeling satisfied.
When I compile my Lenten prayer lists, it isn’t about me, or the need to feel “satisfied.” It’s about offering an extra set of prayers for friends and family and asking them to let me in on their needs and wants. It’s about adding my voice to the chorus of their cries to God. Or, in some cases, like my more overwhelming moments when I couldn’t seem to pray for myself, I may be the only set of prayers their situation may be getting. It’s a small, gentle way of sharing my Faith.
Kayla Hart, @hartofsilver.
Over the years, I have been amazed at the sheer range of these intentions. Not surprisingly, a large portion of these prayer requests have been for health issues (cancer, surgeries, general healing). Quite a few have been for school or career concerns (big tests, job interviews, job searches and guidance). Some are very global (coronavirus, people struggling with addictions, countries at war). While others are very specific (someone struggling with a personal vice, or another looking for the right person to buy her condo). I fill empty days with people and situations I know need prayer even if they haven’t asked. Every year, I am humbled at the amount of people who ask for prayers for other people, rather than requesting prayer for themselves. It is such a joy to create this list.
Of course, like any Lenten observance, it is not without its flaws and failings. I have days when I feel guilty because I didn’t give the day’s intention as much attention as others. There are times when I just flat-out lose steam. Also, as hard as I try, I have never been able to officially fill the list (which sometimes works in my favor with my failings, because it allows me space to go back and revisit those I haven’t given full attention to). Despite these minor issues, it is still a discipline I highly recommend for the season of Lent. It really calls you into a deeper sense of sacrifice. In these daily prayers, I am sacrificing my time to give of myself for the sake of others’ needs.
If you are in need of any prayers, please don’t hesitate to reach out on my Instagram (linked below in my bio). I’d love for this to be the first year I fill all my 40 slots! God bless your Lent!
Meet Kayla Hart
Kayla Hart is from British Columbia, Canada, and has a BFA in Writing from the University of Victoria. In addition to being a daughter of God, she considers herself a singer, an occasional playwright, and a musical theatre nerd. She has always had a keen interest in the arts and is excited to further explore her visually artistic side as a new member of the Live Today Well photography team. You can find her on Instagram as @hartofsilver and @hartofsilverproductions.