Resources to help Christians focus on caring for humanity and creation this Lent

3 March 2014

Lenten resources this year reflect on how we can respond to human need, seek justice and care for creation as part of the Church’s mission. Christians are being urged to look outward and, as individuals and as communities, to raise awareness and action on the key challenges facing our world.

Climate change and food security are a priority area.  Many agencies are calling for prayer and reflection throughout Lent, and inspiring action to engage individuals in the fight against hunger and climate change. 

Green Anglicans, as part of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, have produced a 40-day Carbon Fast for Lent, which draws attention to the small actions individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint and make a difference to the sustainability of the environment. 

Initiatives such as a ‘Meat-free Monday’ are advocated, and a tool to find out how much carbon you actually use is also included.  

The Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN) have also produced a Water Resource, which is a study guide particularly for use during the United Nation’s ‘Water Week’, from Monday 17th March. 

Other Lenten resources include:

Anglican Board of Mission’s Lent appeal will support their programmes in Australia, China and Kenya, and their Bible studies and intercessions encourage us to reflect on the meaning of mission and how we can take action. 

CMS-UK help us to reflect on our place in God’s mission, with their ‘40 days of ‘Yes’‘ campaign. This can be downloaded or followed on their facebook or twitter page.  

Church House are calling Christians to ‘Love Life Live Lent‘ and be the change we want to see in the world.  There are booklets for adults and children and podcasts to listen to.

Episcopal Relief & Development are this year using their Lent resource to focus on creating economic opportunities and strengthening communities, with a particular focus on empowering women.

The Mothers’ Union has a Lenten call to ‘Count Your Blessings’.  This reflects on the Community and Church Mobilisation Process which provides an inspiring example of how counting God’s blessings, drawing on God’s Word and promises, ‘can bring radical change to a community’.

Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund draw our attention to food security, with a different theme for reflection each week during Lent.  Their resource encourages us to pray, act and give. 

Us (formerly USPG) is urging the church to examine the meaning of global mission this Lent – with a special focus on Myanmar.  The theme of the course is ‘A heart for mission’, and looks at the Anglican Communion’s Five Marks of Mission and how the Church of Myanmar is putting these five aspects of mission into practice.

Christian Aid have launched a Lent app to encourage Christians to ‘Count your Blessings‘.  40 daily reflections aim to “inspire you to give, act and pray to bring justice to our world and change the lives of people living in poverty across the globe.”

And Church Action on Poverty have launched the ‘End Hunger Fast‘ campaign.  There are a variety of ways to get involved, and a National Day of Fasting will take place on 4th April to draw attention to the prevalence of hunger not only in developing countries but across the world. 


In the picture: Carbon Fast for Lent, from the Anglican Communion Environmental Network