Lent Study & Prayer Guide: March 2026
Integrating the “Arise & Shine“ Bible Studies with the “Prayers for March“ to prepare our hearts for the April Residential Conference: “Where Power Meets Purpose: Small Acts that Change the World.”
Bible Study prepared by Olive Ruzvidzo CoChair & Prayers by Rita Rowe MWiB Trustee for Lincolnshire & East Anglia
Week 1: The Call to Arise
Date: Saturday, March 7th Scripture: Isaiah 60:1–2
Focus: Awakening the spiritual “Power” within.
The Bible Study
Isaiah speaks to a people who have endured a season of darkness. His command is a definitive change in posture: Arise. We must understand that our “Power” is not a human resource we manufacture through effort; it is the “Glory of the Lord” that has already dawned upon us. To “Arise” means to intentionally lift ourselves out of spiritual stagnation, the comfort of the status quo, or the weight of discouragement.
The Prayer Narration
As we leave the winter months behind us and look forward to the promise of new beginnings in the Spring, let us pause to reflect on the season we are now exiting. We think of the dark, heavy days of January and February—months that often feel like a long period of waiting.
None of us truly relish the drab, grey days of winter, when the environment restricts the things that nourish us: the simple joy of going for a walk, the quiet peace of gardening, or those outdoor activities that make us feel revitalized both inside and out. During these past two months, we have endured relentless rain and leaden skies that have made the outdoors feel uninviting. At times, the daytime has felt as dim as the night, forcing us to keep our indoor lights burning just to navigate our own homes.
Our hobbies and creative outlets—whether it is the intricate detail of a jigsaw puzzle, the steady rhythm of knitting and sewing, or the focus required to read a book—demand clarity and sight. In the absence of natural daylight, we have found ourselves depending on the hum of electricity to see what is right in front of us. This winter, the days have felt long, the sunshine has been scarce, and our spirits have felt the weight of that shadow. We find ourselves collectively praying for the return of lighter days.
It is into this atmosphere of “thick darkness” that the words of Isaiah 60:1-2 speak with such transformative power. We take fresh hope from this ancient call:
“Arise, Jerusalem, and shine like the sun. The glory of the Lord is shining on you! Other nations will be covered by darkness, but on you the light of the Lord will shine; the brightness of his presence will be with you.”
This scripture reminds us that while we may depend on electricity for our physical sight, we depend on God’s presence for our spiritual vision. Even when the world around us remains shrouded in shadow, the “Glory of the Lord” provides a light that no winter can extinguish. We are not just waiting for the sun to come out; we are being called to “Arise” and become the very light we have been missing.
Discussion Questions:
- Isaiah mentions a “thick darkness.” What specific “darknesses” (social, spiritual, or emotional) do you see in your local community that need the light of Methodist women?
- If “Arising” means moving out of a place of comfort or “the way we’ve always done it,” what is one specific thing our local group needs to “Arise” from this year?
Prayer
Longing for light, we wait in darkness. Longing for truth, we turn to you. Make us your own, your Holy people, light for the world to see. Christ be our light, shine in our hearts, shine through the darkness! Christ be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.
Lord, we thank you for your presence and for helping us to shine like the sun. Be with us in this Spring season. Help us to remember that whatever we are doing and whoever we meet—You are there. At the end of the day, in the still of the night, I know you are there. As I put my hand in yours and walk towards the light, loving God, I know you are there.
Amen.
Week One Practical Activity:
On a paper or a journal, identify and write down one specific “Gift” you possess (e.g., a listening ear, organizational skills, baking, or intercessory prayer) that you are now ready to “wake up” and offer for God’s use.
