Spiritual Growth Ideas for Lent and Beyond : A Review of 40 Days, 40 Ways

40 Days, 40 Ways: A New Look at Lent by Marcellino D'Ambrosio

Does your prayer life get dry? Do you get stuck in a rut? Or feel like maybe there is more that you could do to be closer to God's will but haven't a clue what it could be? Enter Marcellino D’Ambrosio's new book 40 Days, 40 Ways.

There is something about 40 in the Bible. It rained for 40 days & 40 nights. The Israelities wandered in the desert for 40 years. Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days. And Marcellino brings us 40 days of ideas for Lent. Before you get all worked up, let me explain. No, there is too much -- let me sum up. (Bonus points if you got that obscure movie reference)

You cannot do all of these the ideas day you read about them. You just can't. One of the days is a retreat. A retreat needs planning. So does planning to help someone. Or to volunteer somewhere. Others you can do, but aren't suitable to your station in life right now (if you have small babies, for instance).

What 40 Days, 40 Ways is fabulous for is as a tool to expose you to fresh ideas. As you work through Lent and try to live God's will, keep an open mind to God's voice while reading these. Each day of Lent has a short suggestion of how you can do God's work followed by an essay about why this work is God's work or how it has affected a life. Sundays have no task--just an essay.

This is a fabulous book and so much more than a book of Lent activities. During this time of drawing closer to God, it's a menu to reflect on, to see where He calls me. I will be keeping 40 Days, 40 Ways to refer back to as a guide when the seasons of life change.

How are your Lenten sacrifices going?   Has God changed your plan?   Or are you still waiting for him to reveal it?

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