Yes! This is my second post for today!
In my prayer time this morning, the Holy Spirit led me to consider writing a post to share with you about Lent and prayer. Obedience is the hallmark of faithfulness, so here is my second offering for today.
Lent starts Wednesday. It’s both ironic and appropriate that Lent begins on Valentine’s Day this year as my blogger friend Bridget pointed out in her recent post.
Lent is a six-week period leading up to Easter that starts on Ash Wednesday and either ends on Maundy Thursday Holy Saturday (March 30 this year).
The forty days of Lent (not counting Sundays or Easter Day) are symbolic of the forty days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness, as described in the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Lent is a time of reflection, repentance, and preparation for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As Christians, the Lenten season is a time to engage in fasting, prayer, and acts of self-denial in order to draw nearer to God and focusing on our spiritual lives.
It can be a time of being still, as my blogger friend David discusses in his most recent post. Lent is a time that we recalibrate and put God first in our lives—where He rightfully belongs.
Today is the day of the “Big Game.” It’s a day marked by festivity, glitter, glamor, and gluttony. people have been planning and debating and preparing for this special Sunday. It’s estimated more than 100 million people will watch this year’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.
Tomorrow is a day typically marked by the greatest work absenteeism. Nearly 15 million people are expected to miss work on Monday, the day after the “Big Game.”
Imagine if we worshipped and celebrated God with the same vigor and conviction that we invest in major sporting events? Something to think about…whatever you put ahead of God is your god.
Lent is the season that prepares us for the “Big Day”—Easter.
I’m hoping to focus more deeply on slowing down and prayer. Slowing down isn’t as much about movement as it is about intent, like being intentional in my interactions with people. By trying to focus more deeply on the myriad of conversations that I will have over the next forty days requires slowing down. Being intentional is as much about hearing the heartbeat of a person versus simply listening to their words.
Drawing nearer to God through prayer is honestly where I am living and breathing currently. It’s what will make up the heart of my Lenten season this year.
Andrew MurrayPrayer not only teaches and strengthens one for work, work teaches and strengthens one for prayer.
A friend recently shared his admiration for how devoted to praying Muslims are each day. Prayer serves as the second pillar in Islamic faith and is considered an obligatory religious duty for all Muslims. Throughout the day, Muslims observe five prayer times that take place at very specific times.
In contrast, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to pray without ceasing.
”pray without ceasing,“
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)
As I mentioned in a previous post, the church Terri and I are currently attending launched an initiative focusing on prayer for the month of February. Someone recently mentioned that they don’t want this sweet season of prayer to end. I’ve managed to wrangle myself out of bed and out of the house early enough to get down to the church and spend time in corporate prayer with about a hundred other attendees. It’s encouraging and somewhat mind-blowing to see a parking lot full of vehicles before the sun rises belonging to fellow Christians committed to focusing on prayer.
Prayer is how we dialogue with God. It’s a tender, continuous conversation between us and the Divine.
Praying more intentionally seems like a good undertaking for me in this season.
How about you? What does this year’s Lenten season hold in store for you?
I look forward to hearing from you in the “Comments” below.
Prayerfully,
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
HEADS UP! Christian Grandfather Magazine recently shared one of my posts with their readers. Please be sure to go show them some love!
The Devotional Guy™ 
Amen. 🙏 Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
God’s peace Rainer. This post encourages me to focus inwardly during my own Lenten journey. Indeed, prayer needs to be at the heart of it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love that you’ve tracked how you observed Lent since you started blogging, David. I’m glad to hear this post resonated with you.
LikeLike
Thank you for the ping back. as well, brother. I love how you lay out the reason and purpose behind Lent. Growing up Southern Baptist, I had no idea what Lent was all about. However, since I’ve started blogging, I’ve observed it every year.
2021: I gave up doom scrolling my favorite newsfeeds.
2022: I stopped watching TV in the evenings and devoted the time to prayer and Bible study.
2023: I stopped snacking after supper and ate nothing until the next morning.
2024: I plan to step back from tech, by staying off my phone for extended periods.
Great post. Thought provoking, as always. Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! I’m glad that this particular thought resonated with you. Thanks for reading and commenting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the ping back, Rainer. I really love what you said about, “Slowing down isn’t as much about movement as it is about intent.” Thank you for this very meaningful post on prayer. I love what your church is doing this month. And I will be sure to check out your post on Christian Grandfather.
LikeLiked by 1 person