Lent is a 40-day period before Easter beginning Ash
Wednesday (March 5th of this year) and spanning 46 days in the Roman Catholic
and Western church-world (Sunday’s are not observed). Lent is a season when we deny ourselves
‘something’ in order to search our souls, and in so doing seek to imitate
Christ, that is, become more like Him. Prayer,
fasting and works of love should mark the Lenten season. What we give up should be self-sacrificing.
In
denying ourselves a particular thing (i.e.: meat, desserts, chocolate, vegetables
(I don’t know if these qualify – LOL!), watching our favorite show on TV,
etc.). The purpose is that in each
denial we are reminded why we have
chosen to do without. NOTE:
Lent isn’t giving up something that costs you nothing. It would be like me saying, “God, I’m going to “lentenize” eating red
beats.” I don’t eat red beets. I don’t eat any beets no matter what color
they are. J When we deny ourselves it places us in a posture of humility and an attitude of prayer by which we seek
Divine intervention for the reason we
have done without (or fasted).
One
year
I gave up desserts. After each
meal when I would normally have something sweet, I took that moment to reflect
upon why I entered into Lent. Another year
I observed Lent in behalf of three individuals in the Church. This year I am observing Lent for those hurt
by the economy. And personally, I am
searching my heart for God to purge from my life anything that would hinder His
blessings upon Prayer Ministries, Inc. and affect my intimacy with Him.
When
we observe Lent, we, like Christ, become a servant.
1. In the one instance we serve others.
2. In the other instance we serve God by seeking to become more like Him.
May I encourage, if not challenge you, to consider
observing Lent with me, so that together we “lentenize” in behalf of others and
ourselves so that we can become more like our Lord Jesus.
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