What is Lent?

What is Lent?

beginnerguidetolent.com

Back in high school, some Christian friends asked me, “What are you giving up for Lent?” Then the same question was asked by my friends at evangelical bible college ? However, it never carried a lot of weight. I would hear about what they were giving up, but never saw how or understood how it helped in their spiritual formation.

Then I came to be a part of a local body of Jesus followers, who had the tradition of practising Lent. Perhaps the idea of Lent is a new one for you. As I was called on to give leadership, it meant a fast learning curve about Lent. HD_ea0131j

The church Calendar rotates around two main events: Advent, which is at the start, and then Lent and the high season of the Easter Celebration. For Christians, Easter Sunday evokes awe and wonder. Historically, this comes out of a 40 day time of reflection to get ready for celebration.

Over the years it has changed. For example, the Church Father Irenaeus of Lyons shares how it was only a two or three day observation. There are also some differences on how the 40 days have been calculated over the years. Today, it is practised over 40 days, and historically there was a connection to using it to disciple new believers.

Even though the practise has developed over the years, the purpose has always been the same. Time for self-examination, repentance and denial of self in preparation for Easter.

Dr. Michael Pasquarello sums up the purposes well, that Lent is an invitation to examine our desires and reorient them toward God.

Throughout the years three spiritual disciplines have been at the core, though many incorporate others. The three are prayer, fasting and alms giving.

What has been your experience with the season of Lent?

What helpful resources have you used over the years?

What questions do you have about Lent?

Stay tuned for more in the Series: Beginners Guide to Lent

Help I Am Stuck In My Prayer Life

prayer 3From time to time our prayer rhythm will be off.  It  can feel like you are stuck in mud.  We all go through seasons of feeling stuck in the mud around our pray life.

I remember one time fishing with a friend.  He took me down a stream, and as we walked, I got  stuck in the mud on the side.  He reached down to pull me out.  In the same way the Holy Spirit will use the Psalms to help our prayer life become unstuck.  Often if our prayer rhythm is off, we are not reading our bible.

Two ways the Psalms can help us become unstuck in our prayer life

1. Remind us about who God is.

It is said that the Psalms  are about a person on a journey seeking God.  In doing so, he reflects upon who God is.  The Psalms force us to deal with who God is, even when we do not want to face that reality.  The Psalms remind us of who God is and what he does.  In return, this determines who we are and what we do.

2. Speak the Language

Really read the Psalm to God.  Use the language and imageries of the Psalm in your life. Remember, the Psalms take place in a historical setting; be careful to not lose that perspective.  However, The Psalms express seasons of loss, fear, struggle, and praising God.  Allow them to guide you when you need to express such seasons.

Joni Eareckson Tada has some great teaching around this in the post “Speaking God’s Language: How Scripture Can Add Power to Your Prayers”

What does this look like? – Here is a example of speaking the Language from Psalm 27

” The Lord is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?”

Prayer: Jesus you are my light and salvation.  Because you are my light and salvation, I will not fear.  You will light my path you are my identity.  You are my stronghold in my life and I do not need to fear.  Help me Jesus as I do have fear over ___________________( area of life, person).  Holy Spirit let me draw upon you for strength and not look to ___________.

Another prayer resource: Where to turn in the Psalm.

What are the challenges in your prayer rhythms?

Where To Turn To In The Psalms

PRAYING WITH THE PSALMS

For centuries, the psalms have been a place for followers of Jesus to turn to. From time to time, we can look to the psalms to help us pray. No matter the season or concerns, you will find direction through the psalms. For centuries the Holy Spirit has led God’s people to them and through them and this will continue .

Here is a list I put together from a few different resources for the Sunnyside Wesleyan Church. Click here for a pdf version.

 

 

TOPIC PSALM
God the Creator 8, 19, 33, 65, 111, 104, 145, 147
God the Redeemer 15, 33, 102, 103, 111, 113, 114, 126, 130, 138
God’s Sovereignty 24, 46, 47, 72, 89, 93, 96, 97, 98, 99, 110, 146, 145
Feeling Attack 25:16-21, 30:1-5; 37; 57;109:21-31, 126, 143
Feeling Far From God 23, 24, 42:5-11; 139:1-18
God Our Refuge 4, 17, 20, 37, 46, 54, 61, 71, 91, 103, 121, 146
Sickness/Suffering 31:9-10, 109:21-31, 119:153-160, 121
Temptation 19:21-14, 141
Worry 25, 112, 143
Trust in God 27, 31, 37:3-6, 46, 57, 62, 63, 71, 73,

77,91,118,121,123,124,125,143,146

Times of Trouble 3, 11, 12, 13, 18, 20, 30, 40, 46,

49, 57, 62, 63, 80, 85, 86, 90,

107, 118, 144, 146

Seasons in Life 39, 49, 90, 102
Repenting 6, 32, 38,5 1, 102, 130, 143
Worship 5, 26, 43, 63, 65, 66, 67, 84, 96, 100, 102,

116, 122, 138

Divine Guidance 15, 23, 25, 43, 73:23-26, 80, 85,

111, 112

Insecurity 73:21-26, 108:1-5
Hope 225:21, 31:23-24
Morning 3, 5, 20, 63, 90, 143
Evening 4, 13, 16, 17, 31, 77, 103, 116, 121, 139, 146
Thanksgiving 8, 15, 18, 19, 27, 29, 30, 34, 100, 118,

145, 150

Peace 29, 46, 76, 85, 98, 100, 124, 125, 126
God’s Glory 18, 29, 99, 36, 46, 148, 150
The Incarnation 2, 8, 85, 89, 102, 110, 111, 113, 132