My most favorite season of the year is coming up. This is a time we set apart to pursue God with wholehearted abandon. In past years for Lent, I’ve done some pretty unusual things. One year, I gave up prayer. Another, I said goodbye to contempt. Last year, some crazy-pants friends and I made a fast and furious journey through the entire Bible.
And it’s almost time again—time to go deeper with God than we’ve ever been before…On March 5, we will enter the Lenten holy season in the church calendar. Lent is the 40 days before Easter (not including Sundays) set apart for prayer, penitence, and self-denial. This is a time designed to stir your hunger for God and lean in to hear His voice more clearly. [Tweet this] This is a season of both repentance and the renewal of faith.
One of the most popular questions during this season is, “What are you giving up for Lent?”
I’ve heard a wide range of responses including chocolate, sodas, television, Facebook, and sugar. I even know a guy who gave up porn for Lent. I hoped his commitment lasted long past Easter.
But I think there’s a far better question to ask: What do you want to lay hold of for Lent? [Tweet this]
How will you choose to pursue God during this time?
What do you want to lay hold of through these 40 Days?
How will you embrace the gift of Lent in 2014? [Tweet this]
On Wednesday, February 5th, I will share what I have been prayerfully considering for this season and invite you to join me.
But today, I’m asking you to take time and open your heart to what God may have for you. I have a hunch He has something big.
Will you take time to seek God and ask Him what He has for you during Lent 2014? Endless possibilities abound.
I’m expectant. If Lent is anything like the first month of the year, experiencing the awe of God’s presence in the every day, then I think we are all in for a monumental gift.
Praying boldly and expectantly. Thrilled your along for the ride, Shelly.
In my quest to be intentional, I can’t wait to see what you will challenge us with.
Hi Margaret,
God is showing me that if I am intentional in prayer and be persistent He can open miracle doors for me and my family (and others too).
My pregnant daughter had an ultra sound that showed the baby had a hole in her heart. For 2 weeks since we knew this I prayed fervently and with expectation that God would hear and answer my prayer. 2 days before the appointment at a big hospital I fasted and prayed and studied. I read Cindy Jacobs, Persistent Prayer. On the day of the appointment (we had to drive and stay at a hotel) I stayed outside in the waiting room and prayed in the Spirit for an hour – then a peace settled over me and I knew I knew she would be okay. 20 minute later my daughter came out and said, “no hole”. Praising Him.
Now I know that I need to do a fast once a week (morning) and spend that time praying for all sorts of people; events; and whatever God puts on my heart. (you will be on this list)
Blessings to you,
Janis
Wow! What an incredible testimony, Janis. Continued prayers for your daughter and her sweet little one.
Thanks very much. Today is first day of prayer and fast and I committed to studying the NT.
Janis
Thanks dear Margaret! i needed to know when LENT is going to begin! it’s become one of my fav seasons too and i am teaching others about it. yes. laying off or giving up is all about creating more space for GOD to fill us – coz in the end, nothing else fills. can’t wait!
“In the end, nothing else fills.” Yes! Love this, Jenni.
Last year reading the whole Bible was amazing and life changing. I really didn’t think I could do it when I started, but I did! I have been looking forward to doing it again this year and bring a lot of people along with me. I’ve never been so excited about Lent before. I’m looking forward to hearing your plans too.
It was fast and furious, Elisa. So glad you were along for the ride!
Yay! Last year was my first year doing Lent (because of reading your blog!), and I read through the Bible with you (although I didn’t end up making it through the entire thing.) I’ve come to love Lent, and am so happy it’s almost here again. I guess I haven’t started praying about what God wants me to do for it, but I will begin doing so. Can’t wait to hear what you’re doing! Thanks for introducing me to Lent, Margaret! It’s one of my favorite times of the year! 🙂
Chelsea– so thrilled that you have fallen in love with Lent, too! Praying that God stirs your heart in some WONDERful ways this season.
I prayed about it, and am thinking for Lent what I want to lay hold of is God’s voice. So I think I might do something with listening to/for God. I realize that that’s an area that lacks in my prayer time: I adore, thank, confess, and petition, but I don’t usually take the time to be still and hear God’s voice. Anyways, I’m excited to see where He’s going to take this. Also very excited to see what your Lent idea is this year! Can’t wait! Will be waiting for the post tomorrow! 🙂
I love this, Chelsea. Praying that God whispers again and again! You may want to snatch, borrow, or steal a copy of The Sacred Echo to read before you get started. 🙂
Margaret,
I am SO excited about our church joining in on the Lent Challenge this year!!! It’s hard to not start NOW!!! Blessings!!!
Oh Roxanne, what a JOY it is to have you and all our friends at FBC Brandenburg along for the ride!
Last year was the first year since my childhood that I gave lent a thought…thanks to you I was one of the “crazy ones”. I still don’t think all that was done in my heart has been able to be expressed with words…it was a challenge for sure…God’s grace and power were there daily …it was not burdensome…I was even at a week long national home school basketball tournament. Thanks for the reminder of how quickly this season is coming upon us…I am committed to pray and I look forward to hearing what God has given you…after last year…I am even more interested to see if He calls me again to come along for the journey. Blessings and grace and continue used prayers for your journey to healing.
It was so much fun getting to “know” you last spring as we read through Scripture together. Hug to you, Ro.
Good question? I want to lay ahold of the fact that I do have a Heavenly Father and let Him be one completely to me. Growing up without parents is hard so I am use to doing it all on my own, but I don’t! Amazing thing to discover. I tweeted you a picture of what I won’t give up, haha.
Yes! Lent. It has been on my mind… pursuing me. There is this persistence, this gentle Spirit nudge. And crazily, the thought is of nakedness… as in, coming completely clean. Taking off the mask. It has led me to think: what are the masks that I wear? What are the things that hold me at arms distance from God… and from other people? And on a very vain level, my appearance is up there… could I actually get naked from make up? Could I go to church with no eye liner? Ditch my foundation and blush? I know it goes deeper than that, but sometimes we have to scrape at the surface before we can dig in : ) I am so ready to experience all Christ has for me this Lent!
I’ll have to admit I’ve never read the entire Bible through. If ever there were a time/season I needed God more and to hear from Him more THIS is it.
Here I stand in the midst of grief after loosing my brother to a massive heart attack 2 weeks ago yesterday. I’m numb, but I feel like this would be a challenge to accept to get even closer to God.
So, Margaret, count me in.
-Alicia
I’m going to start tithing. (The name above isn’t my real name because I’m embarrassed I haven’t been tithing. I hope this comment is included anyway.) I also plan on getting up earlier regularly in order to have a regular time of meditation and devotion.
Of course we’ll include your comment, Grace. So thrilled that God is moving in your heart– may he continue to lead and guide during this Lenten season.
Margaret,
You speak to the depths of my spirit. What a voice of influence God has given you for this time. I am currently working through “The Organic God”… and it has been stirring a lot up in me. Thank you for saying YES to God’s call on your life to write. Hugs. Been praying for you and Leif.
Thank you for your prayers, sweet Glenda. May God’s voice continue to resound in your life.