RETURN TO THE FATHER
Return to me with your whole heart...Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful. Joel 2:12-13
Lenten Study
RETURN TO THE FATHER
Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.
Joel 2:12-13
Lenten Study Vision Lent is a sacred invitation from the Heart of Jesus: “Return to the Father.” This six-week journey is designed to help us lay down our burdens, encounter His mercy, and learn to abide in Christ through prayer, Scripture, and community. Through this study, our hope is that participants will deepen their practice of prayer and grow in intimacy with the Lord. The journey gently unfolds from invitation to honesty, surrender, healing, trust, and renewal, preparing hearts to fully receive the joy of Easter.
Weekly Structure
Theme & Grace to Pray For Weekly Scripture Anchor Sunday Gospel + Sacred Pause (Today slow your pace & rest with Him) Daily Scripture (Monday–Friday) Imaginative Prayer—Tuesdays & Fridays Extended Reflection—Wednesdays & Thursdays Reflection & Savoring Graces —Saturday Themed Discussion Questions
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Four “P’s” of Prayer
Prepare – Quiet your heart, settle into a comfortable posture, become aware of God’s presence, and invite the Holy Spirit to lead your prayer.
Picture – Read the Scripture slowly and place yourself within the scene, noticing sights, sounds, people, and details.
Participate – Engage with Jesus personally, allowing the story to unfold and paying attention to your emotions and inner movements. Ponder – Contemplate on what stirred your heart, speak with the Lord about it, and rest in His presence, discerning how He invites you to return to Him.
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CONTENTS
Week One + Return to Me We begin by responding to God’s gentle invitation to come back to Him with our whole hearts, laying down distractions and opening ourselves to conversation. Page 7 Week Two + Return to the Light Christ, our Light, reveals what has been hidden, drawing us out of darkness and into truth, freedom, and clarity. Page 12 Week Three + Return and Be Healed Encountering Jesus the Healer, we bring our wounds, sin, and broken places, trusting in His mercy and restoring love. Page 16 Week Four + Return and Trust the Father Like the child who rests securely in loving arms, we learn to surrender control and place confidence in the Father’s goodness. Page 20 Week Five + Return to the Cross Standing at the foot of the cross, we behold the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and allow His self-giving love to transform our own. Page 24 Week Six + Return and Receive New Life As Lent culminates, we rejoice in coming home to the Father, renewed, reconciled, and sent forth to live as witnesses of HIS love. Page 29
Holy Week Page 33
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IMAGINATIVE PRAYER GUIDE (TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS) An imaginative prayer helps you experience Scripture by placing yourself inside a biblical story, using all your senses to see, hear, smell, and feel the scene as if you were there, allowing God to speak personally through the narrative. You may imagine yourself as a witness, a character in the story, or simply standing nearby, attentive to how Jesus looks at you, speaks to you, or moves toward you. This form of prayer helps Scripture become a living encounter, inviting not just understanding, but relationship and transformation. Often following an Ignatian method of reading, imagining, interacting, and reflecting on the details and your emotions to encounter Jesus more deeply.
Steps : Prepare your Heart Picture the Scene Participate with Jesus Ponder
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Week One + Return to Me
Grace to Pray For: A heart open to Jesus’ invitation
Anchor Scripture Isaiah 55:6-7
Daily Scriptures
Ash Wednesday: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: John 15:1–5 Friday: Psalm 34:18–20
Saturday: Savor the graces of the week. Prayerfully review journal or return to Scripture that resonated with you.
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Wednesday Reflection | Ash Wednesday
Matthew 6:1– 6, 16 –18
On Ash Wednesday, Jesus does not call us to perform, but to return. In the Gospel, He gently invites us away from public displays and into the quiet place where the Father waits. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are not meant to draw attention to ourselves; they are pathways that lead us back home, to the heart of the Father. “Your Father who sees in secret” is mentioned again and again. This repetition reveals something deeply consoling: the Father is not distant or demanding. He sees us fully in our efforts, our failures, our weakness, and our desire to love Him and He welcomes us just as we are. Lent is not about proving our holiness, but about allowing ourselves to be seen and loved by God. When we pray in secret, we come as children, not performers. When we fast, we loosen our grip on what distracts us so our hunger can lead us to Him. When we give alms, we mirror the generosity of the Father who gives without counting the cost. Each practice draws us closer, not through perfection, but through trust.
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The ashes we receive remind us that we are small, fragile, and in need of mercy. Yet they also mark the beginning of a journey back to the Father’s embrace. Lent is a season of coming home and of turning away from self-reliance and turning toward the One who already knows us and loves us. As we begin this holy season, may our hearts move quietly but confidently toward the Father. May we seek Him not to be seen, but simply to be with Him, resting in the love of the Father who sees in secret and calls us His own.
Questions: Where is the Father inviting me to return more deeply to Him through prayer, fasting, or almsgiving?
How can these practices help me come home to His love rather than focus on outward appearances?
What would it look like this Lent to simply rest in His presence and allow Him to see my heart?
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Thursday Reflection Fruitfulness flows from closeness, not effort. Jesus invites us to rest in His presence and allow Him to work in us.
Friday Imaginative Prayer — Resting with Jesus Scripture: Psalm 34:18 Prepare Lord, help me draw near to You.
Picture Picture Jesus sitting beside you in a quiet place. He is close.
Participate Share with Him where your heart feels wounded or discouraged. Notice His presence.
Ponder What is one way you will rest in Him today?
Saturday Weekly Reflection What distracts me from abiding in Christ? What do I desire to bring into the coming week?
Journaling Prompt Where is He asking me to slow down?
Jesus, I come to You just as I am. Teach me how to rest in You.
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Week Two + Return to the Light
Grace to Pray For: Courage to be honest with God and lay down your burdens
Anchor Scripture John 12:46
Daily Scriptures
Sunday: Gospel Matthew 4:1-11 (Temptation in the Desert) Monday: Psalm 38:9–11 Tuesday: 1 Peter 5:7 Wednesday: Luke 10:38–42
Thursday: Psalm 62:6–9 Friday: Matthew 6:25–34
Saturday: Savor the graces of the week. Prayerfully review journal or return to Scripture that resonated with you.
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Tuesday Imaginative Prayer Laying Down Burdens
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7
Prepare Holy Spirit, guide my prayer.
Picture Imagine placing each of your worries into Jesus’ hands.
Participate Name each burden aloud or silently. Watch how Jesus receives them.
Ponder What burden will you intentionally release today?
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Wednesday Reflection Like Martha, we often carry anxious burdens. Jesus invites us to choose the “better part” presence over pressure. Thursday Reflection True rest is found when we entrust our hearts to God, not when circumstances change.
Friday Imaginative Prayer — Choosing the Better Part Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34 Prepare Jesus, draw me close.
Picture Place yourself in the home at Bethany. Notice Mary, Martha, and Jesus.
Participate Where do you see yourself in this scene? Hear Jesus speak gently to you.
Ponder What would choosing the better part look like today?
Saturday Weekly Reflection Where did I notice God’s presence this week? Group Discussion Guide What burdens do we often carry silently? Can you name your spiritual poverty? How can Jesus bring light and grace into that place? What worries (sin, future, loss) are you trying to control rather than cast on God? Journaling Prompt What have I been afraid or ashamed to say out loud to God? What truth is God gently inviting me to name in His presence? Lord, I place my burdens at Your feet, bring me the light. Teach me to trust You. 14
RETURN TO THE FATHER
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Week Three + Return and Be Healed
Grace to Pray For: Trust in Christ’s healing love
Anchor Scripture Mark 5:34
Daily Scriptures Sunday: Gospel Matthew 17:1-9 (Transfiguration of Jesus)
Monday: Isaiah 43:1–7 Tuesday: John 5:1–9 Wednesday: Psalm 147:2–5 Thursday: Luke 8:43–48 Friday: Psalm 103:1–5
Saturday: Savor the graces of the week. Prayerfully review journal or return to Scripture that resonated with you.
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Tuesday Imaginative Prayer Do You Want to Be Healed?
Scripture: John 5:6
Prepare Lord, I open my heart to You.
Picture Imagine Jesus asking you this question directly.
Participate Respond honestly. Notice His compassion.
Ponder What step toward healing is He inviting you to take?
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Wednesday Reflection God lovingly gathers the broken and restores what has been scattered, holding both our deepest wounds and the vastness of creation. He knows our hearts completely, reminding us that His power is always guided by tender mercy. Thursday Reflection Faith, even trembling faith, draws healing grace from Christ.
Friday Imaginative Prayer — Reaching for Jesus Scripture: Luke 8:43–48 Prepare Jesus, help me trust You. Picture
Imagine reaching out to touch Jesus’ garment. Participate What are you hoping He will heal? Hear Him say, “Your faith has saved you.” Ponder How will you walk forward in peace?
Saturday WEEKLY REFLECTION In what small and hidden way this week did God provide some healing? Group Discussion Guide What does healing mean beyond physical healing? Where do you long for God to rebuild and gather the scattered parts of your life? Journaling Prompt What wounds, old or recent, am I still protecting instead of surrendering? What fears arise when I imagine being fully healed?
J esus, heal what is broken within me. 18
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Week Four + Return and Trust the Father
Grace to Pray For: Surrender of control
Anchor Scripture Proverbs 3:5–6
Daily Scriptures
Sunday: Gospel John 4:5-42 (Woman at the Well) Monday: Romans 8:24–28 Tuesday: Mark 4:35-41 Wednesday: Psalm 37:5–7 Thursday: Matthew 14:28–33 Friday: Isaiah 26:3–4
Saturday: Savor the graces of the week. Prayerfully review journal or return to Scripture that resonated with you.
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Tuesday Imaginative Prayer Jesus in the Storm
Scripture: Mark 4:35–41
Prepare Lord, calm my heart.
Picture Imagine the boat, the storm, and Jesus.
Participate What storm are you in right now? Hear Jesus say, “Peace, be still.”
Ponder Where are you invited to trust the Lord?
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Wednesday Reflection Jesus invites us to surrender our plans to the Lord, trusting that in stillness He is faithfully at work beyond what we can see. Thursday Reflection Even when we falter, Jesus is present and ready to lift us up when we call out to Him, transforming our difficult situations into moments of deeper faith and worship. Friday Imaginative Prayer — Stepping Out in Faith Scripture: Matthew 14:29 Prepare Jesus, I fix my eyes on You.
Picture Picture stepping onto the water.
Participate Feel Jesus grasp your hand. What fears arise?
Ponder How will you choose trust today?
Saturday Weekly Reflection What challenged me or stretched my trust? Name one way you can surrender to the Lord this week.
Group Discussion
Where is God asking for surrender?
Journaling Prompt Where in my life am I trying to stay in control instead of trusting God? How has my need for control kept me from peace or freedom?
Jesus, I trust in You.
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Week Five + Return to the Cross
Grace to Pray For: Deeper union with Christ
Anchor Scripture Galatians 2:20
Daily Scriptures
Sunday: Gospel John 9:1-41 (Healing the man born blind) Monday: Psalm 22:2–5 Tuesday: Luke 9:23–27 Wednesday: Philippians 2:6–11 Thursday: Hebrews 4:14–16 Friday: John 19:16–30
Saturday: Savor the graces of the week. Prayerfully review journal or return to Scripture that resonated with you.
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Tuesday Imaginative Prayer Taking Up the Cross
Scripture: Luke 9:23
Prepare Come Holy Spirit, be with me.
Picture Imagine walking beside Jesus.
Participate Let Him walk with you.
Ponder What cross are you carrying? How will you follow Him today?
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Wednesday Reflection Our God chooses humility over power, showing us that true greatness is found in self-emptying love. As Christ lowers Himself in obedience , even to the cross, we are invited to lay down our pride and trust that the Father will exalt all that is surrendered to Him. Thursday Reflection Reminds us that Jesus, our High Priest, fully understands our weakness because He has walked our human journey and yet remained without sin. With confidence, we are invited to draw near to Him, trusting that at the throne of grace we will find mercy, strength, and help exactly when we need it.
Friday Imaginative Prayer — At the Foot of the Cross Scripture: John 19:25
Ultimate victory as he declares, "It is finished," completing God's redemptive plan for humanity's sin and offering eternal life through his death, not despair, but triumphant completion, paving the way for resurrection and reconciliation, as seen in his seamless tunic fulfilling priestly roles and his final act of giving his spirit.
Prepare Jesus, draw me close to Your Cross. Picture Picture standing with Mary. Participate Share your sorrow. Receive His love poured out. Ponder What does love ask of you now?
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Saturday Weekly Reflection GOSPEL-To come to the Cross is to stand exposed before Christ and allow Him to question us: Do you want to see? Do you want to be healed? Are you willing to lose what you thought you had in order to receive true sight? At the foot of the Cross, like the man once blind, we are invited to confess not just with words but with our lives: “Lord, I believe.” And in that surrender, we discover that the Cross, once a symbol of suffering becomes the place where our eyes are finally opened.
Group Discussion How does the Cross transform suffering?
As Mary stood at the foot of the cross and Jesus calls us to take up our cross daily where is Christ inviting you to remain, and follow Him more fully even when the cost feels heavy?
Journaling Prompt Where do I resist the Cross in my own life; sacrifice, suffering, surrender? How is Jesus inviting me to unite my joys, pains, and weaknesses to His?
Jesus, I unite my sufferings with Yours.
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Week Six + Return and Receive New Life
Grace to Pray For: Hope in the Resurrection
Anchor Scripture Revelation 21:5
Daily Scriptures
Sunday: Gospel John 11:1-45 (Death of Lazarus)
Monday: Ezekiel 36:26 Tuesday: John 20:11–18
Wednesday: Romans 6:3–5 Thursday: Matthew 28:1–10 Friday: Colossians 3:1–4
Saturday: Savor the graces of the week. Prayerfully review journal or return to Scripture that resonated with you.
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Tuesday Imaginative Prayer Calling Your Name
Scripture: John 20:16
Prepare Risen Lord, open my heart. Picture Imagine Jesus speaking your name. Participate Respond from your heart. Receive the joy of being known. Ponder How will you live as one sent?
Wednesday Reflection Through baptism we are united with Christ in His death so that, dying to sin, we may rise with Him into and transformed life in the Father.
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Thursday Reflection At the empty tomb, fear and great joy collide as the women encounter the astonishing truth that death has been defeated. They come seeking the crucified Jesus and instead meet the living Lord who goes before them. The risen Christ turns trembling hearts into courageous witnesses, sending them to proclaim hope where despair once reigned. Resurrection always moves us from fear into mission, from the tomb into new life.
Friday Imaginative Prayer — New life in Christ Scripture: Colossians 3:1–4 Prepare Lord, renew me. Picture
Imagine Jesus restoring all things. Participate Receive hope. Ponder What needs renewal? How will you walk forward in new life?
Saturday Weekly Reflection How does witnessing Jesus’ power over death challenge you to believe in His ability to restore and transform what seems lost in your life?
Group Discussion
Where do you see new life emerging? How is the risen Christ calling you to move from fear to faith and go forth in joy to share new life you have encountered with Him? Journaling Prompt Where is Christ calling me to rise and step into life with Him? Where in my life do I need resurrection, new life, renewal, or hope?
J esus, thank You for making all things new.
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Holy Week Holy Week Imaginative Prayer Experience Begin by finding a quiet place and inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer. Read the Scripture slowly, then imagine yourself inside the scene, picture the setting, the people, the sounds, and what is happening around you. Allow the moment to unfold naturally, paying attention to any emotions, thoughts, or movements of your heart, and speak with Jesus honestly as one friend speaks to another. Conclude by resting and lingering in God’s presence, offering Him what arose in prayer, and asking how He is inviting you to respond in your life.
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PALM SUNDAY + Welcoming the King Holy Week
Scripture: Matthew 21:1–11
Prepare Holy Spirit, lead me into this moment with Jesus.
Picture Imagine the road, the crowd, the sound of voices. Place yourself in Jerusalem, Can you hear “Hosanna!” See Jesus riding toward you.
Participate Place something of your own before Him. Your palm, your cloak, your plans, your wounds. Let Jesus pass by you, He is fully present. Receive His gaze, His Kingship, His love. Ponder Watch Jesus’ gaze meet yours. What does He communicate without words? How will you choose to follow Him during Holy Week?
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HOLY THURSDAY + Love Poured Out
Scripture: John 13:1–15
Prepare Jesus, help me receive Your love.
Picture Step into the Upper room, it’s dim. Imagine Jesus kneeling before you, washing your feet.
Participate He begins to wash your feet, becuase He loves you. Notice how this feels, you are seen by Jesus. What feelings arise as He serves you? Let His love sink into places of resistance or unworthiness.
Ponder Who are you invited to love and serve with humility?
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GOOD FRIDAY + Standing at the Cross
Scripture: John 19:16–30
Prepare Lord, draw me close to Your Cross.
Picture Picture yourself at Calvary. Notice the silence, the sorrow, the love.
Participate Place your suffering, sins, and loved ones at the foot of the Cross. Hear Jesus say, “It is finished.” Receive His mercy.
Ponder How will you live in gratitude for this love?
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HOLY SATURDAY + Waiting in Hope
Scripture: Lamentations 3:31–33
Prepare God of hope, meet me in the waiting.
Picture Imagine the quiet of the tomb.
Participate Where are you waiting without answers? Trust God’s hidden work.
Ponder How will you remain faithful in silence?
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EASTER SUNDAY + He calls you by Name
Scripture: John 20:11–18
Prepare Risen Lord, open my heart.
Picture Imagine Jesus speaking your name.
Participate Respond with joy, awe, or tears. Receive the gift of new life.
Ponder How are you sent forth as a witness?
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Easter Sunday Closing Prayer
Risen Lord Jesus, we rejoice today in Your victory over sin and death. Thank You for calling us by name, for making all things new, and for inviting us to walk in Your light and love. Fill our hearts with joy, hope, and courage to carry Your presence to others. May we always live as witnesses to Your resurrection, embracing new life in You.
Amen.
Continue to come to Jesus daily. He is always waiting.
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1 Kings 19:12 – God speaks in a still, small voice.
God’s Voice
Satan’s Voice
Calms
Obsesses
Leads
Pushes
Strengthen
Weakens
Forgives
Accuses
Builds identity
Attacks identity
Heals
Hurts
Clarifies
Confuses
Gentle
Harsh
Encourages
Discourages
Stills
Rushes
Convicts
Shames
Reassures
Frightens
Comforts
Worries
Calls you forward in faith Keeps you stuck in sin and fear
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Thank you for joining us for the Lenten study
“Return to the Father.” It has been a gift to walk this sacred season together listening, reflecting, and allowing the Lord to meet us exactly where we are. It is our prayer that through this time of prayer and study, you have encountered Christ more personally and experienced a renewed spirit. May His gentle invitation “Return” continue to echo in your heart, drawing you deeper into rest, trust, and surrender to His love. As we continue our Lenten journey toward the Cross, may we do so with open hearts, confident that the Lord who calls us is faithful. May He complete the good work He has begun in each of us. Thank you for your presence, your openness, and your willingness to walk this road of faith together. Be assured of our prayers as we continue toward the joy of the Resurrection.
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