Hi friends- Wow, I can't believe Easter is coming in a few short weeks. So, I have heard of Lent before, but never actually studied it. From what I've heard from others they usually give something up. It's also a time to prepare for Easter. My friend, Tina, shared a Lent study with me from World Vision. I just started digging into it.
This quote from the intro really helped explain what Lent is about:
“During Lent, Christians are encouraged to focus their energy on three disciplines: prayer, fasting and almsgiving (sharing our gifts with the poor). The extra time spent praying during Lent can lead us closer to God. During Lent we are encouraged to focus our prayer on the places in our lives and in our world that need improvement. Our fasting isn’t about denying ourselves as a sort of punishment, and it isn’t even about food. We fast from television, food, video games, computers, and other simple everyday indulgences so we can literally hunger for God. Our fasting also puts us in touch with those whose hunger is never filled because they live in poverty. Finally, our praying and fasting lead us to action.”
—Tony Alonso, Return to the Lord: Praying and Living Lent
I really want to get closer to God and some things are keeping me from my focus. I'm really going to pray about what God wants me to sacrifice during this time of Lent. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me this season.
What about you? Do you observe Lent and how? Or if you don't why not? I would like to hear your thoughts.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb 17.
2 comments:
You know, lent has never been a part of my denomination's tradition. Not against it, just not practised in that particular way. Instead we do something called "Self Denial" (which really is very much the same in title), but we give monetarily toward countries where our denom. is working so that the work can continue. I think this year though I'm going to "give up" spending less time with God. Does that make sense? In some senses I'm working harder on doing something than giving something up, but it occurs to me that I'm not spending as much time with God...so I'm giving that up! :)
Lent is not part of my denomination either. I'm thinking of definitely spending more time with God and less time on other things. I want my relationship with God to grow stronger. I don't want to be sucked into things that zap my time with God and my family. Thanks for your input, Alison.
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