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Give Up Worry for Lent!: 40 Days to Finding Peace in Christ
Winner of a third-place award in the backlist beauty category from the Catholic Media Association.Catholic author and self-described “recovering worrier” Gary Zimak combines practical spirituality, daily scripture readings, and simple action steps to help you kick the worry habit as part of your Lenten renewal. He shows you how to let go of the anxiety-producing areas of life in order to find the lasting peace that comes from trusting God.
During the season of Lent, Catholics and other Christians frequently give up something they enjoy as a measure of penance or self-discipline—and often fall back into old habits at the first “Alleluia!” In Give Up Worry for Lent!, Zimak offers fellow worriers practical, scripture-centered advice on how to relinquish the need to control the uncontrollable—not just for Lent but for good—and how to find peace in Christ.
From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, Zimak guides you to ponder a scripture passage and to apply it to your own life by following four simple
readreflectrespondpray As you continue to meditate on scripture and practice the simple action steps at the end of each reflection, you will find it easier to replace old worries with new messages of hope and to change your life forever.
During the season of Lent, Catholics and other Christians frequently give up something they enjoy as a measure of penance or self-discipline—and often fall back into old habits at the first “Alleluia!” In Give Up Worry for Lent!, Zimak offers fellow worriers practical, scripture-centered advice on how to relinquish the need to control the uncontrollable—not just for Lent but for good—and how to find peace in Christ.
From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, Zimak guides you to ponder a scripture passage and to apply it to your own life by following four simple
readreflectrespondpray As you continue to meditate on scripture and practice the simple action steps at the end of each reflection, you will find it easier to replace old worries with new messages of hope and to change your life forever.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2019
331 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Gary Zimak
20 books18 followersHost of Following The Truth on BlogTalkRadio (M-F at 8PM Eastern)
Author of A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible and Listen To Your Blessed Mother(coming in August 2013)
Regular Guest on Catholic Answers Live, EWTN Radio’s Son Rise Morning Show, Catholic Connection with Teresa Tomeo and Relevant Radio’s Morning Air
Catholic Lay Evangelist and Motivational Speaker
Blogger and Regular Contributor to Catholic Stand, Catholic Exchange & New Advent Websites
Author of A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible and Listen To Your Blessed Mother(coming in August 2013)
Regular Guest on Catholic Answers Live, EWTN Radio’s Son Rise Morning Show, Catholic Connection with Teresa Tomeo and Relevant Radio’s Morning Air
Catholic Lay Evangelist and Motivational Speaker
Blogger and Regular Contributor to Catholic Stand, Catholic Exchange & New Advent Websites
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 17, 2022
If you're looking for a grounded book to support your 40 days of Lent, this is a great option
What I loved...
📚 Each day is just a few pages so you don’t need to set aside a huge portion of your day. The day's lesson is broken up into the author's personal reflections and experiences relating them to lessons that Jesus taught, coupled with practical opportunities for reflection and prayer. Did I overcome worry in 40 days? No. But I will also honestly admit that I didn't use the opportunities for reflection as much as I should
📚 This is a great option to go back and re-read at any time of the year
📚 Including readings on Sundays was an excellent way to keep the daily momentum and not lose track
What I loved...
📚 Each day is just a few pages so you don’t need to set aside a huge portion of your day. The day's lesson is broken up into the author's personal reflections and experiences relating them to lessons that Jesus taught, coupled with practical opportunities for reflection and prayer. Did I overcome worry in 40 days? No. But I will also honestly admit that I didn't use the opportunities for reflection as much as I should
📚 This is a great option to go back and re-read at any time of the year
📚 Including readings on Sundays was an excellent way to keep the daily momentum and not lose track
July 7, 2024
Read this one actually during lent and it came at exactly the right time. If you're going through big life transitions or questions or generally feel lost this one is good for you. I keep opening up to different days that I felt especially related to my life to look back on them. It's a good thing to "take on" as a lenten activity.
April 22, 2025
Lenten Devotional • Applicable • Daily TakeAways
I used this as a Lenten devotional and really enjoyed the read • reflect • respond • pray format. It was very applicable and I had a lot of prayerful moments reflecting on the author’s points. I felt like there was always a daily takeaway that was worth remembering.
I used this as a Lenten devotional and really enjoyed the read • reflect • respond • pray format. It was very applicable and I had a lot of prayerful moments reflecting on the author’s points. I felt like there was always a daily takeaway that was worth remembering.
April 4, 2021
This is the second of the daily reading books I got for this Lent. I liked this one a little better than the other. Very accessible and enjoyable to read. Recommended for those worriers like me.
April 20, 2023
I picked this book up on a whim looking for some additional spiritual reading to do during Lent. It turned out to be a simple habit to include in my daily prayers, a small but mighty book with a powerful message. I loved it!
April 20, 2025
This one is very well done.
It’s a daily devotional which features 47 days: Ash Wednesday-Easter Sunday. I enjoyed it.
Happy Reading, everybody!
It’s a daily devotional which features 47 days: Ash Wednesday-Easter Sunday. I enjoyed it.
Happy Reading, everybody!
February 11, 2022
This book is a quick daily read for Lent. Back in the day, I was a world-class worrier. It would have been nice to have this all those years ago, but I enjoyed reading it now. My go-to statement in this day and age is, "God's got this." Zimak gives you all the Bible verses to back that up!
May 10, 2019
I loved this book. I read it all during Lent and it did help me to turn to Jesus more instead of my mind.
May 14, 2024
Okay let the record show I finished this in Lent but work was so busy holy week that I never got to reviewing this. I haven't done a daily devotional in years, and I found this one to be particularly good at calling out all of the worries and anxieties I've had in the last year and what was on my heart during lent- I did find that it touched on many relatable worries and concerns that someone of faith has. It was not overly spiritual, it was honest, which is my favorite part of it. There is no faith washing- no saying "just pray and your worries will disappear." Someone who hasn't prayed in years will get something out of it just like someone with a very active faith or prayer life will. Definitely perfect for lent, lining up with readings and topics, but I think could easily be read outside of Lent too. A great addition for someone who refers to not have faith/Christianity intertwined with their therapy or counseling of any sort. Fantastic for someone who is determined to focus on their mental health during lent or a time of self improvement. Worth a read!! From the library of... My office. ☺️
May 13, 2019
What a superb Lenten devotional. If worry is something you struggling with, then this devotional will be worth giving a try next year. Broken down into the week of Ash Wednesday, the five weeks of Lent, and then Holy Week, author Gary Zimak offers readers Scripture readings, reflections, specific responses, and then prayers to help you find ways to cast your burdens on the Lord and trust in Him to take care of you.
As someone who keeps pretending I am the one who is in control, this devotional helped me realize the freedom that can be found in giving my cares to God and trusting He will work it out. Am I all the way there yet? No, but I am much closer than when I started reading this devotional.
Though a seasonal devotional, I intend to refer back to it throughout the year at times when my worries threaten to disturb my peace.
As someone who keeps pretending I am the one who is in control, this devotional helped me realize the freedom that can be found in giving my cares to God and trusting He will work it out. Am I all the way there yet? No, but I am much closer than when I started reading this devotional.
Though a seasonal devotional, I intend to refer back to it throughout the year at times when my worries threaten to disturb my peace.
April 21, 2019
I love these short devotionals that focus on areas of life where I need an push to do better. This book has daily scripture readings, simple action steps, and a prayer to help the reader kick the worry habit. I found the Bible verses that the author chose were an excellent match to go along with the topic and the examples and personal experiences the author shared were a perfect addition.
While this is marketed for Lent, if you are a worrier, you don’t need to wait a year to start this. I believe it would be helpful for anyone who has too much of a tendency to worry any time of the year.
While this is marketed for Lent, if you are a worrier, you don’t need to wait a year to start this. I believe it would be helpful for anyone who has too much of a tendency to worry any time of the year.
May 21, 2019
Gary Zimak has done an outstanding job in addressing an issue we all hate to address - worry! True, this is a book written for Lent, but it applies to the entire year. The wisdom in "Give Up Worry for Lent" will set you on the track for living a worry-free life of trust in our Lord. This is one of those books you'll want to keep within reach so you can refer back to it time and again as you grow in Christ.
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April 30, 2019Peace
I choose the rating of 5 because I felt the book was written just for me. I would go to the Chapel at work and kneel before the cross. After doing the days reading a sense of direction and peace came over me.
Very hard to truly express but I had an amazing Lent because I gave up worrying.
Thank you for this meditation ❤️.
I choose the rating of 5 because I felt the book was written just for me. I would go to the Chapel at work and kneel before the cross. After doing the days reading a sense of direction and peace came over me.
Very hard to truly express but I had an amazing Lent because I gave up worrying.
Thank you for this meditation ❤️.
April 23, 2019
Building a Relationship with Christ
This is the perfect devotional for anyone struggling with anxiety. The root of all anxiety is a lack of trust in Jesus. The focus of the book is to foster trust and a deeper relationship with Jesus. It’s an easy read too. I’m a SAHM with a five month old, who is becoming more active by the minute, so I appreciated the short readings.
This is the perfect devotional for anyone struggling with anxiety. The root of all anxiety is a lack of trust in Jesus. The focus of the book is to foster trust and a deeper relationship with Jesus. It’s an easy read too. I’m a SAHM with a five month old, who is becoming more active by the minute, so I appreciated the short readings.
April 12, 2020
Amazing
This book really brought to life the promises of God. It has helped tremendously to know where to put my focus. I highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles with worry and/or anxiety. And what a great time of year to focus on giving up the thing that holds us back from God the most.
This book really brought to life the promises of God. It has helped tremendously to know where to put my focus. I highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles with worry and/or anxiety. And what a great time of year to focus on giving up the thing that holds us back from God the most.
April 12, 2020
I chose to read this through the Lenten season in 2020 not knowing that we were all in for a covid 19 pandemic with social distancing and plenty to stress and worry about. I am very thankful I stumbled across this book and chose to use it for a daily devotional during this time and feel a peace even during this scary time that I didn't know prior.
April 6, 2023
I saw this in my daily Grotto meditation videos. They always include a picture of things for sale in the bookshop. I sure needed this one! I’ve made the choice to replace my worry with peace always, not just during Lent. This book has given me a toolbox full of ideas to use. I can always find something to worry about and I’ve learned to let go of all of it. The release has been life changing.
April 20, 2025
What a difference a day makes!
Loved the book and what each day represented for me. We did this book as a church and although I was familiar with the scriptures, I saw it in a whole new light. Thanks for that.
I recommend reading whether in Lent season or in your personal season where direction is needed. What a difference your day will make.
Loved the book and what each day represented for me. We did this book as a church and although I was familiar with the scriptures, I saw it in a whole new light. Thanks for that.
I recommend reading whether in Lent season or in your personal season where direction is needed. What a difference your day will make.
April 21, 2025
giving up worry
This book addresses anxiety and fear on a daily walk through Jesus’s life and teachings and promises. The author offers reassurance based on his own experience and alleviation from anxiety and how this was largely because of his relationship with and understanding of Jesus. The book provided a useful companion for me during Lent.
This book addresses anxiety and fear on a daily walk through Jesus’s life and teachings and promises. The author offers reassurance based on his own experience and alleviation from anxiety and how this was largely because of his relationship with and understanding of Jesus. The book provided a useful companion for me during Lent.
April 22, 2019
An excellent Lenten devotional. Giving up worry is harder than anything else you can imagine. Basically impossible but reading this each morning reminded me of what I can control and what I must ask God to help me solve. Definitely will read this again.
June 16, 2019
Good InsprIration
I'm a worrier for sure. This bookshelf me the inspiration to ask myself why I'm worried. Each day as I read the book, I could see that I worry when there isn't anything to worry about. Have faith and move on.
I'm a worrier for sure. This bookshelf me the inspiration to ask myself why I'm worried. Each day as I read the book, I could see that I worry when there isn't anything to worry about. Have faith and move on.
April 12, 2020
This is one of those little books that must be read! It was a blessing during Lent - and then especially during the Covid-19 quarantine ! I recommend this book for everyone looking for PEACE and to strengthen FAITH / KNOW JESUS
April 17, 2022
Life Transformational
This book is very transformational! Who would have thought to give up worry for Lent? This book comes highly recommended to all. Thank God for Gary Zimak!
This book is very transformational! Who would have thought to give up worry for Lent? This book comes highly recommended to all. Thank God for Gary Zimak!
April 25, 2022
I'd recommend this book to anyone who struggles with generalized anxiety and/or tends to worry. I found the daily reflections to have a lot of practical advice that made tackling the daily burden of anxiety and worrying manageable.
June 19, 2024
Marvelous daily devotional for Lent that unfortunately took me two Lents to read and implement in my life. The book has quick bite-sized reflections for each day as well as actionable exercises and prayers to aid one in metanoia.
April 20, 2025
This book delivers what it promises.
I loved this book. It is deep but totally accessible. The author writes from a place of humility. I really am worrying less after 40 days in this devotional.
I loved this book. It is deep but totally accessible. The author writes from a place of humility. I really am worrying less after 40 days in this devotional.
April 21, 2019
Great book!
A wonderful book to read during Lent. Well written and thoughtful, I highly recommend. Remember the parable of the birds.
A wonderful book to read during Lent. Well written and thoughtful, I highly recommend. Remember the parable of the birds.
April 21, 2019
Excellent!
Great material to meditate and help yourself to really experience a process of change or transformation during Lent ... I fully recommend it
Great material to meditate and help yourself to really experience a process of change or transformation during Lent ... I fully recommend it
November 6, 2019
Great book! Very helpful
November 10, 2019
Scripture to reflect on and pray with but not CBT. Just an FYI
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews