Over the next several weeks we will be observing the season of Lent. Lent is about the gospel. It is a time to narrow the focus of the Church to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, to turn from our sin and trust in his atoning work.
Originally Lent was a preparation period for those desiring to be baptized, Lent eventually became embedded into Christian tradition as a season for the Church to symbolically follow Christ into the wilderness. It is a time for fasting and self-denial, though not for denial itself. It is a period to empty ourselves of lesser things so that we might be filled with the greater things of the gospel. Whereas Advent is a season of ever-increasing light awaiting the incarnation of Christ, Lent is a season of ever-decreasing light approaching the cross.
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As we embark on this journey toward the cross, I am encouraging us, as a community, to fast and to pray.
Fasting
We will be fasting each week in a different area of our lives. This week, beginning on Wednesday, we will be fasting from caffeine and sweets. As caffeine and sweets literally pump us up, we will seek to be brought low in humility this week by their absence, in order to be filled with the Gospel. As you crave those things, may it remind you to crave the grace of God which is so much better. We will fast Monday through Saturday, and Sunday will be our feast day.
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16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
–Matthew 16:16-18
Prayer
We would like for everyone to set aside a couple of minutes to pray every day at the specific times listed below over the listed petitions. Take comfort in knowing that your church community will be united in praying over these requests together.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
–Matthew 6:7-8​
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9 am
Pray for the people in your life who are hurting; emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Pray that Jesus would meet them in their pain, that he would sustain them and encourage them. Pray that they would draw near to God and know that Christ has suffered the greatest pain so that all pain will one day come to an end.
Noon
Pray for our partners in ministry: Ty Gregory at USC, Matt Trexler at UCLA, our missionaries around the world, Younglife Glendale, Olive Crest, our sister churches, and our presbytery. Also, pray that God would reveal sin in your own heart and that he would give you the power by his Spirit to return to him.
6 pm
Pray for opportunities for you to share your faith, and pray for someone else in our congregation to have opportunities to share their faith. Pray that God would use our church for his kingdom and his glory. Pray for the lost in our city.
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