Making Sense Of Lent...
Lent is the six-week period leading up to Easter. In the early Church, it was a time when new converts were instructed in the faith, ready for their baptism at Easter. Over the years, Lent has become a season of penitence, self-examination and fasting. Jesus began His earthly ministry by fasting in the wilderness for 40 days and taught his disciples to fast, ‘when you fast..’ (Matthew 6:17).
Fasting might involve missing one or two meals in a day, refraining from TV or alcohol, or whatever gets in the way of us fully focusing on God. What are the reasons for fasting?
Lent can also be a time to embrace new spiritual disciplines eg joining a study group, ‘random acts of kindness’, giving more time to prayer and Bible study Whatever you do, have a great Lent!
‘Jesus takes it for granted that his disciples will observe the pious custom of fasting. Strict exercise of self-control is an essential feature of the Christian’s life. Such customs have only one purpose – to make the disciples more ready and cheerful to accomplish those things which God would have done.’ (Dietrich Bonhoeffer).
Fasting might involve missing one or two meals in a day, refraining from TV or alcohol, or whatever gets in the way of us fully focusing on God. What are the reasons for fasting?
- The act of giving up something is a tangible sacrifice to God, reminding us of our desire to put him first in our lives.
- Giving up things I value shows me how depend I can be on other things rather than God.
- Fasting helps me to surrender my ‘idols’ to God.
- When fasting I am reminded of a deeper hunger and need for God in my life: ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.’ (Matthew 5:6). I learn to be more dependent on God, while releasing the stuff I depend on in my life.
Lent can also be a time to embrace new spiritual disciplines eg joining a study group, ‘random acts of kindness’, giving more time to prayer and Bible study Whatever you do, have a great Lent!
‘Jesus takes it for granted that his disciples will observe the pious custom of fasting. Strict exercise of self-control is an essential feature of the Christian’s life. Such customs have only one purpose – to make the disciples more ready and cheerful to accomplish those things which God would have done.’ (Dietrich Bonhoeffer).
Lent – a good time to deepen your prayer life
Lent is a time to take stock of ourselves spiritually. This includes setting aside extra time for prayer. Here are some helpful things to remember as you settle down to it:
People have been praying since Adam had a grandson named Enosh. The Bible tells us (Genesis 4:26) that it was during his days when ‘men began to call on the name of the Lord’. They have been doing it ever since.
People have had their prayers answered by God since Genesis, too. But if you want to read some beautiful prayers – and answers to them, browse through the Psalms. Again and again the psalmist writes: “the Lord heard my cry”.
So – what do you need to bring to prayer? Just the tiniest amount of faith that God is even there.... Jesus assures us that even faith as big as a tiny mustard seed will be effective.
What gives you the right to come before Almighty God? Jesus does. The Bible is clear that “there is one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ”. (1 Timothy 2:5)
The Bible makes clear that God does not stand on ceremony – in fact, He prefers our personal, spontaneous prayers. Jesus was very matter of fact about it: “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)
The Bible assures us that prayer will bring us good things: “we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”. (Hebrews 4:16)
Above all, prayer must be made with a pure heart. “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18) That simply means that if you know you are doing something wrong, and intend to keep right on doing it, don’t waste your time praying.
Finally, what can be the results of your prayers this Lent? Well, here are seven, for starters....
1. Joy and deep happiness. (John 16:24)
2. Relief from your worry, stress and tension (Philippians 4:6,7)
3. Wisdom and more mental clarity (James 1:5,6)
4. Protection and deliverance from temptations (Matthew 26:41)
5. An ability to share the Good News of Jesus to other people (Matthew 9:38)
6. Strength to persevere when you feel under spiritual attack (Ephesians 6:18)
7. A growing thankfulness to God, who is worthy of all glory (Revelation 4:11)
Lent is a time to take stock of ourselves spiritually. This includes setting aside extra time for prayer. Here are some helpful things to remember as you settle down to it:
People have been praying since Adam had a grandson named Enosh. The Bible tells us (Genesis 4:26) that it was during his days when ‘men began to call on the name of the Lord’. They have been doing it ever since.
People have had their prayers answered by God since Genesis, too. But if you want to read some beautiful prayers – and answers to them, browse through the Psalms. Again and again the psalmist writes: “the Lord heard my cry”.
So – what do you need to bring to prayer? Just the tiniest amount of faith that God is even there.... Jesus assures us that even faith as big as a tiny mustard seed will be effective.
What gives you the right to come before Almighty God? Jesus does. The Bible is clear that “there is one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ”. (1 Timothy 2:5)
The Bible makes clear that God does not stand on ceremony – in fact, He prefers our personal, spontaneous prayers. Jesus was very matter of fact about it: “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)
The Bible assures us that prayer will bring us good things: “we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”. (Hebrews 4:16)
Above all, prayer must be made with a pure heart. “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18) That simply means that if you know you are doing something wrong, and intend to keep right on doing it, don’t waste your time praying.
Finally, what can be the results of your prayers this Lent? Well, here are seven, for starters....
1. Joy and deep happiness. (John 16:24)
2. Relief from your worry, stress and tension (Philippians 4:6,7)
3. Wisdom and more mental clarity (James 1:5,6)
4. Protection and deliverance from temptations (Matthew 26:41)
5. An ability to share the Good News of Jesus to other people (Matthew 9:38)
6. Strength to persevere when you feel under spiritual attack (Ephesians 6:18)
7. A growing thankfulness to God, who is worthy of all glory (Revelation 4:11)