words2encourage » Lent

Fasting from gossip

Richard — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:58:48 +0000

The following thought comes from Our Lady & St Dominic Cove Parish prayer group Lent calendar for today:

Today why not fast from gossip or harsh words. Instead speak only kind words.

Lenten Inspiration from The High Calling

Richard — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:53:39 +0000

Please read Lenten Inspiration from The High Calling by Mark Roberts in which he challenges us to return to the Lord.

Ash Wednesday reflections

Richard — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:19:58 +0000

On Ash Wednesday last year our vicar preached on fasting and feasting in Lent. One year on that sermon is worth pondering again as we begin our period of Lent for 2010.

Marking Time by Nick Baines

Richard — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:07:16 +0000

If you are thinking of doing some extra Bible study, prayer and reflection during Lent and you are not sure what to do then Nick Baines’ book looking at the Gospel of Mark is one to consider. The book has 47 reflections for Lent, Holy Week and Easter. Each day consists of a passage from Mark, some thoughts from the author and a closing prayer. On each Saturday there are some personal reflections and also some questions for group discussion.

The studies are divided into seven sections: Beginnings, Callings, Healings, Teachings, Happenings, Friends and Enemies and finally Endings and Beginnings as you journey through Mark’s Gospel. I’ve used this book myself and would recommend that you consider it if you have not yet decided what to read during Lent.

Collect Prayers during Lent

Richard — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:49:04 +0000

The following prayers are additonal collects that can be used during the Lent period.

These collects are normally shorter than the usual ones we use in our services.

The prayer for the third Sunday in Lent challenges us to discern God’s will for us and to give up what harms us and seek his perfection .

In the prayer for the fourth Sunday in Lent we confess to the Lord how sin spoils our life and ask him to help us turn back again to Him.

Fasting and Feasting in Lent

Richard — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:44:58 +0000

Last night during our Ash Wednesday service our vicar spoke about how Lent was a time for both fasting and feasting.

It would come as no surprise to most people that fasting should be associated with Lent as Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert. Normally when people think of fasting they associate it with going without food for a period of time. However there are other things that a Christian could fast from such as television and going on the internet. Perhaps these later two are actually harder than going without food!

The idea of feasting during Lent may come as a surprise. This basically involves taking on things during Lent, which could include:

Joining a Lent study group
Spending more time in prayer or Bible study
Reading a specific book
Increasing one’s giving by donating to specific charities

Our vicar said that if we did these things it would help us to feast on God during this Lent period.

So the challenge during this Lent is to endeavour with God’s grace to both fast and feast on Him.