WEEK 1: GOD WHO COMES NEAR
February 18-21
SCRIPTURE
“The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.”
Mark 1:14–15
DEVOTIONAL
Jesus begins with an announcement: the Kingdom of God has come near.
Not far off. Not delayed. Not waiting for you to get your life together. Near.
It is easy to imagine God at a distance, watching carefully, waiting patiently, evaluating quietly. But the Gospel begins by telling us that in Christ, God has stepped into our world. The King has come close. His rule is not abstract. It is personal.
When Jesus says, “Repent and believe,” He is not demanding shame. He is inviting reorientation. If the Kingdom is near, then we are invited to turn toward it. To turn away from whatever has quietly taken first place in our hearts. To loosen our grip on control. To allow His authority to shape our decisions.
Lent begins not with striving, but with awareness.
God is near.
The question is whether we are paying attention.
This week, let that truth settle gently. Where have you been living as though you are alone? Where have you made decisions without inviting the King into them? Repentance is not dramatic. It is simply turning your face toward the One who is already present.
FASTING PRACTICE
Fast: Social Media & Excess Phone Use
Attention is one of the clearest indicators of devotion.
For this week, intentionally limit or remove social media and unnecessary phone use. Set boundaries that are concrete and measurable. No scrolling before prayer. No phone during meals. No late-night browsing. When the impulse to check your phone arises, pause and ask:
“What am I seeking right now?”
Is it distraction? Validation? Escape? Control?
Let that moment become a small act of repentance. Turn your attention toward God instead.
Fasting trains awareness. Awareness leads to realignment.
REFLECTION PROMPTS
PRAYER
King Jesus,
You have announced that the Kingdom is near. I confess that I often live as though I am still in control. Expose what rules my thoughts. Reveal what shapes my decisions. Uncover the loyalties I have allowed to grow quietly. I do not want belief that stays in theory. I want obedience that reshapes my life.
As I fast this week, retrain my attention. Help me notice how easily I reach for distraction instead of You. Teach me to repent in practical ways — in my schedule, my speech, my choices. Establish Your reign in my heart. Where I resist, soften me. Where I delay obedience, strengthen me. The Kingdom is near. Let my life reflect that truth.
Amen
“The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.”
Mark 1:14–15
DEVOTIONAL
Jesus begins with an announcement: the Kingdom of God has come near.
Not far off. Not delayed. Not waiting for you to get your life together. Near.
It is easy to imagine God at a distance, watching carefully, waiting patiently, evaluating quietly. But the Gospel begins by telling us that in Christ, God has stepped into our world. The King has come close. His rule is not abstract. It is personal.
When Jesus says, “Repent and believe,” He is not demanding shame. He is inviting reorientation. If the Kingdom is near, then we are invited to turn toward it. To turn away from whatever has quietly taken first place in our hearts. To loosen our grip on control. To allow His authority to shape our decisions.
Lent begins not with striving, but with awareness.
God is near.
The question is whether we are paying attention.
This week, let that truth settle gently. Where have you been living as though you are alone? Where have you made decisions without inviting the King into them? Repentance is not dramatic. It is simply turning your face toward the One who is already present.
FASTING PRACTICE
Fast: Social Media & Excess Phone Use
Attention is one of the clearest indicators of devotion.
For this week, intentionally limit or remove social media and unnecessary phone use. Set boundaries that are concrete and measurable. No scrolling before prayer. No phone during meals. No late-night browsing. When the impulse to check your phone arises, pause and ask:
“What am I seeking right now?”
Is it distraction? Validation? Escape? Control?
Let that moment become a small act of repentance. Turn your attention toward God instead.
Fasting trains awareness. Awareness leads to realignment.
REFLECTION PROMPTS
- Where do I resist God’s authority in my daily life?
- What habit most competes for my attention?
- If repentance is realignment, what specifically needs to change this week?
PRAYER
King Jesus,
You have announced that the Kingdom is near. I confess that I often live as though I am still in control. Expose what rules my thoughts. Reveal what shapes my decisions. Uncover the loyalties I have allowed to grow quietly. I do not want belief that stays in theory. I want obedience that reshapes my life.
As I fast this week, retrain my attention. Help me notice how easily I reach for distraction instead of You. Teach me to repent in practical ways — in my schedule, my speech, my choices. Establish Your reign in my heart. Where I resist, soften me. Where I delay obedience, strengthen me. The Kingdom is near. Let my life reflect that truth.
Amen