Tag: Lent

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Is Lent “in the Bible”?

I started observing Lent in the 1990s. I was introduced to the observance of Lent by friends who pastored a Methodist Church and an Episcopal Church. I slowly introduced Lent to the Church of God congregation I was pastoring at the time – Moultrie Church of God. The first year, I called a forty-day fast, preached a series about the passion of Christ, and celebrated Holy Week – all without saying the word Lent. The following year, I led the church in the same observance, but this time I told the church that we would be observing Lent. I remember the testimony of a dear Church of God lady: “Pastor, observing Lent this year has made Easter so full and meaningful.”

In the past several years, many non-traditional churches have begun observing Lent – including many Pentecostal churches. With the observance of Lent growing, I’ve noticed many pastors objecting, suggesting that Lent is not in the Bible.

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Praying the Lord’s Prayer – Lent 2015

I have practiced praying the Scriptures for many years. Following is a compilation that I have been praying morning and evening during Lent 2015.

Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
  • “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).
  • “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3).
  • “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing… To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever” (Revelation 5:12-13).

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A Lenten Prayer

Lord, let me die. Let me die so that in the weakness of my flesh I shall not fall into sin. Let me die so that I will not be confident in my own strength. Let me die so that the love of this present age will not corrupt my heart. Let me die so that my pride will not be exalted so that I become self deceived, believing in my own importance. Let me die so that I am loosed from the need or desire of worldly treasures.

Lord, let me die. Let me die so that I may be raised in Christ by the Spirit of Life. Let me die so that Christ may live in me. Let me die so that I may live abundantly and eternally in this age and the age to come. Let me die so that I may be filled with the goodness of God, partaking of the divine nature, glorified in Christ. Let me die so that I may see beyond the corruption and death of this present age; into the beauty, justice, peace, and joy of your eternal kingdom. Let me die so that I may see your glory.

Amen.

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Why I Observe Lent (and the Liturgical Calendar)

For most Pentecostals, the only days of the Christian calendar worthy of observance are Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. Even so, these days are dropped into the midst of ordinary days with very little reflection or planning, with the exception of the obligatory drama or cantata. As a kid in Pentecostal church, I never knew what Ash Wednesday signified. I thought it had something to do with the government’s anti-smoking campaign.

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Forty Days with God

A message for Lent

The Lenten season lasts forty days, beginning with Ash Wednesday. Forty is a number that is deeply rooted in the biblical tradition. For forty days and nights as the rains fell upon the earth, the future of humanity, and of all life on the earth, was protected within the confines of the ark of Noah. The inhabitants of the ark remained for forty more days as they waited for the flood waters to recede.

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