Our Lenten Journey 2023

Isn’t fasting and prayer supposed to be a secret? You've started this journey with others who have been fasting and praying along with you. Many calls to pray and  fast in the Bible were corporate fasts called by authority figures for a whole group to participate together. The purpose of this season of Lent is to turn back to God and to get back on track. In Matthew's gospel, Jesus was asked about prayer and fasting and he was straight to the point: Do it in private.

In this time of self examination we need to ask some questions: "Am I doing this for me or for God?"

"What has been my motivation to enter this time?" "Has it been to become more focused on God or more toward self awareness?" "To be an encouragement to others or receive support or sympathy?" Here's a tough one: "Is there some secret wish to be seen as holy or spiritual?"

Only two people know the answer to this question, you and God.

Pray today to uncover the motives for your praying and fasting and ask for ways you can seek  the encouragement you need without clouding your heart with pride.

We cannot just go through the motions thinking that it will make us more spiritual. Your prayer life during this time can be a time of renewal and redirection when you focus more on God than yourself.

When you approach His throne this time, make God the main focus. When done right you will come to understand that all this time God has been making it all about you.

Read: Matthew 6:5-18

Lord,

I confess my sins and failures to you and I am very sorry for having sinned against You.  Give me the strength to seek and accept Your forgiveness.

Lord Jesus, you poured yourself out completely and died for me that I would have eternal life and I claim that wonderful and indescribable gift of salvation.

Create a clean heart in me and renew me in mind, body and spirit.

I consecrate myself to you Lord and ask that you use me according to your holy will.

I pray in Jesus name.

Amen