Opening Prayer: Psalm 118:1-14

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

² Let Israel say:
    “His love endures forever.”
³ Let the house of Aaron say:
    “His love endures forever.”
⁴ Let those who fear the Lord say:
    “His love endures forever.”

⁵ When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.
⁶ The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?
⁷ The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
    I look in triumph on my enemies.

⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.
¹⁰ All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹¹ They surrounded me on every side,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹² They swarmed around me like bees,
    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹³ I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.
¹⁴ The Lord is my strength and my defense^[a];
    he has become my salvation.

A Closer Look: John 8:46–59

Hearing the Voice of Truth
During this season of Lent, we are called to examine our hearts and listen more closely to the voice of Christ. In John 8:46–59, Jesus confronts those who question His authority and resist His words. He declares, “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.” This passage invites us into a deeper reflection on what it means to truly hear and respond to the truth of God—a central theme in our Christian formation.

In the Wesleyan tradition, spiritual formation begins with God’s grace awakening our hearts. John Wesley called this prevenient grace—God working in us even before we fully recognize Him. Yet grace also invites a response. Jesus’ listeners struggled to receive His words because their hearts were not open to the truth He revealed. During Lent, we are reminded that hearing God’s voice requires humility and repentance. We must be willing to let go of pride, assumptions, and habits that prevent us from recognizing Christ’s authority.

Jesus goes on to say, “Whoever obeys my word will never see death.” This promise speaks not only of eternal life but of a present transformation. We understand that salvation is both forgiveness and renewal. Through sanctifying grace, the Holy Spirit reshapes our hearts so that obedience becomes an expression of love rather than mere duty. As we listen to Christ and follow His teaching, our lives are gradually formed into the likeness of His holy love.

Yet the passage also reminds us that following truth can bring tension. Jesus’ claims challenge the expectations of His audience, especially when He declares, “Before Abraham was born, I am.” In these words, Jesus reveals His divine identity. To accept Him means surrendering control and trusting that God’s truth is greater than our understanding.

For Wesley, growth in holiness happens through practices that open our hearts to God’s voice—the means of grace: prayer, Scripture, community worship, and acts of mercy. Lent is an invitation to return to these rhythms. As we listen to Christ through Scripture and prayer, the Spirit helps us discern truth and respond with faithful obedience.

Lent reminds us that Christian formation is not simply about gaining knowledge but about learning to hear and follow the living Word. As we listen more deeply to Christ, His truth shapes us into people whose lives bear witness to the transforming power of God’s grace.

God’s Voice:

• Old Testament (covenant): Exod. 3:16–4:12 
• Psalm (song):  123, 126
• Epistle (letter):  Rom. 12
• Gospel (good news):  John 8:46-59

Pursuing Holiness

• Prayer: What is God saying to me today? How will I respond?
• Fasting: What can I deny myself today (food, drink, behaviors) as an act of worship?
• Charity: How can I help someone in need today with my time, money, or goods?

Closing Prayer: Psalm 145:1-13

¹ I will exalt you, my God the King;
    I will praise your name for ever and ever.
² Every day I will praise you
    and extol your name for ever and ever.

³ Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    his greatness no one can fathom.
⁴ One generation commends your works to another;
    they tell of your mighty acts.
⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.^[b]
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—
    and I will proclaim your great deeds.
⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness
    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

⁸ The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

⁹ The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.
¹⁰ All your works praise you, Lord;
    your faithful people extol you.
¹¹ They tell of the glory of your kingdom
    and speak of your might,
¹² so that all people may know of your mighty acts
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures through all generations.

³³ He turned rivers into a desert,
    flowing springs into thirsty ground,
³⁴ and fruitful land into a salt waste,
    because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
³⁵ He turned the desert into pools of water
    and the parched ground into flowing springs;
³⁶ there he brought the hungry to live,
    and they founded a city where they could settle.
³⁷ They sowed fields and planted vineyards
    that yielded a fruitful harvest;
³⁸ he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
    and he did not let their herds diminish.

³⁹ Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
    by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
⁴⁰ he who pours contempt on nobles
    made them wander in a trackless waste.
⁴¹ But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
    and increased their families like flocks.
⁴² The upright see and rejoice,
    but all the wicked shut their mouths.

⁴³ Let the one who is wise heed these things
    and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

How to Use this Devotional

1. Read the “Opening Prayer” from scripture to the Lord as your prayer
2. Choose one or more of the scripture passages under “God’s Voice” for further reading
3. Answer the questions under “Pursuing Holiness”
   1. Your reflection on the scriptures and how you sense the Holy Spirit leading you today
   2. Identify how you will practice self-denial today based on God’s leading
   3. Identify how you want to practice giving today
   4. Let prayer, fasting (self-denial), and giving be your living, spiritual worship
4. Keep notes in a journal or planner to enable your follow-through and create a record
5. Read the “Closing Prayer”

Since the third century, Christians have used Scripture, Prayer, Fasting (Self-denial), and Charity (Almsgiving) as spiritual preparation for Easter.

What is Lent?

Lent  is the season in the Christian calendar that leads up to Easter. Lent is 40 days long because Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days before his public ministry. The Israelites, because of their disobedience and rebellion, were made to wander for 40 years in the wilderness before arriving in the promised land. Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai engaged with God in receiving the Ten Commandments. In the Bible, the number 40 is often used to indicate a period of preparation and testing.

In the wilderness, nothing is hidden. We are laid bare to God. We do not have our creature comforts. We are separated from common distractions. We ultimately return to our lives when the time of preparation is complete. We focus our passion on God while He refines us to fulfill His calling.