In this 40-day plan prepared by Grace UMC Senior Pastor Michelle Shrader, each day includes a scripture to read, a question to contemplate, and a related short prayer. Click to download a PDF version of the reading plan. This scriptures plan follows the book used as our main Lenten Devotional this year, “The Third Day” by Rev. Tom Berlin, Resident Bishop of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. You can order a copy on Amazon or wherever you purchase books, plus there are several copies available for check out in our Grace UMC Library.
Week 1 — Turning Toward God
Day 1 – Psalm 51: Where do I most need God’s mercy right now?
Prayer: Merciful God, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.
Day 2 – Isaiah 55:6–9: What does it look like for me to truly seek God today?
Prayer: Lord, draw my heart toward your higher ways and teach me to trust your wisdom. Amen.
Day 3 – Joel 2:12–17: What would wholehearted return to God look like in my life?
Prayer: God of compassion, soften my heart and bring me home to you. Amen.
Day 4 – Luke 15:11–24: Where do I see myself in this story of grace?
Prayer: Loving Father, thank you for running toward me with forgiveness. Amen.
Day 5 – Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21: What practices help me seek God quietly and sincerely?
Prayer: God, shape my devotion so it is for you alone. Amen.
Day 6 – Micah 6:6–8: How can I practice justice, mercy, and humility today?
Prayer: Lord, guide my steps in kindness and humble obedience. Amen.
Day 7 – Romans 12:1–2: What needs renewing in my mind and spirit?
Prayer: Transform me, God, into a living offering of love. Amen.
Week 2 — Trusting God in the Wilderness
Day 8 – Matthew 4:1–11: What temptations distract me from trusting God?
Prayer: Strengthen me, Christ, to choose faithfulness over fear. Amen.
Day 9 – Exodus 16:2–15: Where has God already provided for me?
Prayer: Provider God, help me trust your daily bread. Amen.
Day 10 – Psalm 63: When do I most hunger for God?
Prayer: Satisfy my soul, O Lord, with your presence. Amen.
Day 11 – Isaiah 40:28–31: Where do I need God’s renewing strength?
Prayer: Lift me when I grow weary, faithful God. Amen.
Day 12 – John 6:35–40: What does it mean that Christ is my bread of life?
Prayer: Jesus, nourish me with life that lasts. Amen.
Day 13 – Proverbs 3:5–8: Where am I leaning on my own understanding?
Prayer: Teach me to trust you fully, Lord. Amen.
Day 14 – Hebrews 4:14–16: What burdens can I bring to Christ today?
Prayer: Compassionate Savior, receive my struggles with grace. Amen.
Week 3 — Surrender and Obedience
Day 15 – Luke 9:23–27: What cross am I being called to carry?
Prayer: Give me courage to follow you, Jesus. Amen.
Day 16 – John 12:23–26: What must I release to bear new fruit?
Prayer: God, help me surrender what hinders life. Amen.
Day 17 – Psalm 25:4–10: Where do I need God’s direction?
Prayer: Lead me in your truth, faithful Guide. Amen.
Day 18 – Jeremiah 29:11–14: How do I trust God’s future for me?
Prayer: Lord, anchor me in hope beyond what I see. Amen.
Day 19 – Philippians 2:5–11: How can I embody Christ’s humility today?
Prayer: Shape my heart like yours, Jesus. Amen.
Day 20 – Matthew 26:36–46: Where am I praying, “not my will”?
Prayer: Strengthen my obedience, loving Father. Amen.
Day 21 – Romans 6:3–11: What new life is God awakening in me?
Prayer: Raise me into resurrection living, Lord. Amen.
Week 4 — Hope in Suffering
Day 22 – Isaiah 53: How does Christ’s suffering speak to mine?
Prayer: Suffering Savior, hold me in your healing love. Amen.
Day 23 – Psalm 22: When have I felt abandoned yet held?
Prayer: God, stay near in my darkest cries. Amen.
Day 24 – 1 Peter 2:21–25: How can I follow Christ through hardship?
Prayer: Shepherd of my soul, guide me through pain. Amen.
Day 25 – John 16:16–24: Where do I see sorrow turning to joy?
Prayer: Turn my mourning into hope, Lord. Amen.
Day 26 – 2 Corinthians 4:7–12: How is God’s power working in my weakness?
Prayer: Shine your light through my fragility, God. Amen.
Day 27 – Lamentations 3:19–26: What does hope look like in waiting?
Prayer: Faithful God, your mercies meet me each morning. Amen.
Day 28 – Hebrews 12:1–3: What endurance is God building in me?
Prayer: Fix my eyes on Jesus, source of perseverance. Amen.
Week 5 — Waiting Between Death and Life
Day 29 – John 11:17–27: Where do I need resurrection faith?
Prayer: Christ, speak life into my waiting. Amen.
Day 30 – Psalm 130: What am I crying out to God for?
Prayer: Hear my voice, redeeming Lord. Amen.
Day 31 – Ezekiel 37:1–14: Where do I long for new breath?
Prayer: Spirit of God, revive dry places in me. Amen.
Day 32 – Romans 8:18–25: How does hope reshape my suffering?
Prayer: Hold me steady in patient hope, God. Amen.
Day 33 – John 14:1–7: What fears does Christ calm?
Prayer: Let not my heart be troubled, Lord. Amen.
Day 34 – Revelation 21:1–5: What future promise sustains me?
Prayer: Make all things new in me, God. Amen.
Day 35 – Mark 8:31–35: What life emerges through letting go?
Prayer: Teach me to lose life in order to find it. Amen.
Holy Week — The Third Day is Coming
Day 36 – Matthew 21:1–11: How do I welcome Christ as King?
Prayer: Hosanna, Lord — reign in my life. Amen.
Day 37 – John 13:1–17: Whom am I called to serve?
Prayer: Wash me in humility and love, Jesus. Amen.
Day 38 – Matthew 26:26–30: What does communion awaken in me?
Prayer: Thank you for the gift of yourself, Christ. Amen.
Day 39 – John 19:16–30: What does the cross reveal about God’s love?
Prayer: Crucified Savior, hold me in redeeming grace. Amen.
Day 40 – Matthew 28:1–10: Where is resurrection breaking through?
Prayer: Risen Lord, fill me with Easter joy and new life. Amen.