The importance of praying, giving, and receiving at Lent will be highlighted in a new 12-page resource from Church Army.

Written by Peter Graystone, author of the recently published 99 Things to do Between Here and Heaven, the resource, Praying, Giving and Receiving went out with an appeal to around 10,000 supporters and parishes. It features 40 short reflections taken from the Book of Matthew which can be used for meditation or reflection.

"Lent is an inspiring time for Church Army and a time also when we as individuals and as a community of faith, can take time to focus afresh on our relationship with Christ," states Mark Russell, Church Army's Chief Executive.

"This amazing resource provides bite-size meditations to help you, your congregation or your small groups prepare and reflect on the ministry of Christ during this period of Lent ... encouraging us to renew our commitment to God and to reach out to our generation with the unchanging good news of Jesus Christ."

Church Army hopes the free resource will serve as a useful tool to enable people to come to a deeper awareness of God during this Lent season.

Edna Darko-Sarkwa, Head of Fundraising, says: "My hope for this year's appeal is twofold. Firstly that the Lent publication will truly be a resource to support parishes and individuals during this Lent period, and secondly, that parishes and individuals will support our Lent appeal this year to enable us to continue our vital work in training evangelists for the 21st century."

Margaret Ashby, a retired school teacher who has already seen the resource adds: "I think it provides fresh insight into familiar Bible passages, with warmth, integrity and humour while hitting you hard with the challenge to catch God's vision for a fairer world. I have found it immensely compassionate, informative and challenging."

Praying, Giving and Receiving is available for download from the Church Army website: www.churcharmy.org.uk/lent.