How Participating in Lenten Traditions Opens Our Eyes to God’s Wonder
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So, during Lent, it’s vital to communicate regularly with the Holy Spirit through prayer. We can invite the Holy Spirit to help us grow in holiness throughout this sacred season. We can also pray about everything that’s on our minds throughout each day, continually giving each situation over to God. As we do, we’ll discover the wonder of God’s work in our lives. That will inspire us to keep growing – even when the process of doing so is challenging. Lenten prayers often focus on topics that can help us move closer to God: confessing our sins, repenting of them, and asking for forgiveness; pursuing discernment, relying on God’s strength; and taking action when God calls us to do something like being kind, resolving conflicts, or serving others. None of those pursuits are easy! But through prayer, we can get all the help we need from the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26 reminds us that “… the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Not only will the Holy Spirit answer our prayers, but he will even join us in prayer to articulate our thoughts and feelings! Realizing that the Holy Spirit actively participates in our prayers can inspire us with a sense of reverent awe, strengthening our connection with God.
Fasting is another significant practice during Lent. Fasting – which involves giving up something temporarily to redirect that time and energy to spiritual growth – is more than just a physical discipline. It’s a spiritual exercise that opens space for the Holy Spirit to strengthen our devotion to God. In the wilderness, Jesus fasted for 40 days, relying on the power of the Spirit to sustain him. Many believers abstain from certain foods (such as desserts) or give up alcohol during Lent. Others stop indulging in certain practices like watching television or posting on social media, in order to free up that time for more prayer during Lent. As we abstain from particular foods or activities, we can experience a heightened awareness of our reliance on God. The process of fasting becomes an opportunity to confront the desires of our flesh and seek fulfillment in God alone. Jesus reveals in Matthew 6:16-18 that when we fast with pure intentions, God will reward us.
Another important way to grow spiritually and experience wonder during Lent is helping people in need. When we use our resources of time, energy, and money to help meet people’s needs, God’s love flows through our lives into theirs. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus teaches about the transformative power of compassionate acts, saying: “…‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Proverbs 19:17 declares: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” As we help people in need, we become vessels through which the Holy Spirit extends God’s love to others. We discover that generosity is not only about meeting the needs of others, but also about participating in the redemptive work of God. We’re bound to discover lots of wonder along the way!
Lenten traditions connect us with the Holy Spirit for a special season of intentional partnership. When we see them as more than rituals but as opportunities to partner with the Spirit, we can enjoy wondrous learning opportunities – about God, about ourselves, and about our world. The Spirit will teach us everything we need for spiritual growth as he renews our mind during Lent. Romans 12:1-2 exhorts us: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” It’s through the process of offering ourselves to God that we experience positive change and experience the wonder of God’s faithfulness to us.
In conclusion, Lent is a powerful season to grow closer to God and experience his wonder along the way. We can not only prepare for Easter during Lent, but we can spark a fire of lifelong love for God in our souls. Approaching Lenten traditions with a focus on relationship rather than ritual can connect us with God in important and exciting ways. While it can be challenging to pursue spiritual growth, the Holy Spirit is always available to help us grow. Partnering with the Spirit during Lent can make the prayer of Psalm 51:10 a reality in our lives: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” As we cooperate with the Spirit, our efforts to grow closer to God can transform us in the deepest levels of our souls!
To continue reading this series on the wonder of Lent and Easter, click here.
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