Dear Reader,
I would like to invite you to join me, and millions of other Christian brothers and sisters across the globe, to participate in Lent this 2022 Lenten/Easter season. Before you think “fasting, no thank you!” just hear me out…
Even though I do not belong to a denomination that requires members to practice Lent, I choose to join my fellow Christians in this tradition every year. Easter is, by far, my favorite and most sacred holiday. In the many roles I’ve served at church, I have always been intentional about highlighting Easter Sunday as the most celebratory service of the year. My love of traditions, my sentimentality and my deeply-held faith converge on this holiday unlike any other. The practice of Lent allows me to focus and prepare my heart and mind for this special holiday.
Lent is a 40 day and 40 night time of fasting, prayer and Christian charity. This year it runs from Wednesday March 2nd (Ash Wednesday) to Thursday April 14th. (It ends the day before Good Friday). Depending on your denomination’s practices, Lent can look very different for participants. The Black Fast, a medieval Roman Catholic version, requires people to abstain from meat, alcohol and dairy and eat only one meal a day after sundown. Modern variations are less strict and may include fasting only certain days during the Lenten season, or only certain foods like meat or alcohol. But as we have become a culture saturated with distraction and pleasure, fasting for Lent can include a variety of activities including abstaining from TV, movies, and social media, or modern foods like sugar and caffeine. A “reverse-fast” has also become a popular variation in recent years, with people turning to daily prayers or habits that encourage and empower. Instead of removing something, they’re adding something good.
Whatever individuals choose for their fast, the point is to replace the specified time and/or activity with prayer. The “fast” piece really isn’t the priority.
The point is that you choose to make a special dedication of yourself and your time to commune with God.
My particular spheres of influence and friendships contain Christians who are like me; they do not belong to denominations that require participation in Lent. (Most, but not all). This is not to imply that they are any less dedicated to their faith, or are somehow irreverent. That is not the truth.
Rather, it is in the spirit of unity among believers that I extend an invitation to my friends and readers to participate in Lent this year. Because Scripture is loaded with verses encouraging unity among believers (Romans 15:5-6, Eph 4: 3-6, Psalms 133:1-1, 1 Peter 3:8). And on the world stage right now, we are witnessing the power that manifests when people come together for the same goal. God designed it this way. Which means there is synergy and momentum created—the kind of power that changes the world—when people join together in unity. Personally, I find the energy of whole communities of believers engaged in this kind of spiritual discipline and dedication inspiring and invigorating. I can’t not participate!
Let me add that fasting, prayer and Christian charity are disciplines of the faith that should be consistently present in the believer’s life. Dedicating days, seasons, money and/or activities to communion with God and caring for others isn’t something we do once a year. This should be our lifestyle. But, again, what Lent offers is an opportunity to exercise these habits together, with a unified heart and mind. That is something special.
If I’ve talked you into it, let me share a couple more thoughts:
- First, fasting is a bit of a private matter, best kept between you and the Lord. Jesus condemned the religious folks who boasted about their fasting, telling them their reward was in their notoriety (Matt 6:16-18). It is meant to be a special sacrifice and dedication between you and the Lord. You don’t have to share with me or anyone else what you’re doing. And even if you’ve never fasted before, I encourage you to choose something. No matter how small it seems to you, God honors the motives of our heart. Your sacrifice matters to Him.
- Then, after you’ve chosen your fast, make a plan for adding prayer time. This piece is crucial. Your heart needs connection with Him more than it needs sacrifice, so don’t leave this piece out.
- Finally, as I write this, I am overwhelmed with emotion when I consider ALL that needs the committed prayers of God-fearing and God-loving people. Bottom line, our world and the people in it need our prayers. Try making a short list to start, maybe 4 or 5 things you want to regularly pray about. You can add more as they come to your mind during your dedicated time (because they likely will).
There is no better time to say “yes” to a season of fasting, prayer and reinvigorated communion with God. We need it, the world needs it, and we get to do it together.
With Love and Many Blessings,
Jackie
I was just talking to my daughter about Lent. Love friend and your heart ❤️