THE LENTEN SEASON
On Wednesday 2nd March 2017 we began what is commonly called Lent. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent season. Why Ash? Ash signifies fasting, mourning, weeping and wailing for the atonement of our sins.
Rev. Irene Akankwasa
The Jewish religion demanded that when one is fasting he/she puts on sack cloth and ashes all over the body as a sign of being sad for one’s sins but also as a sign of humility. During this period, they would not wash their face. Isaiah 58:5 or comb their hair (Esther 4:1)
However, Jews refuted that kind of fasting whereby people wanted to be seen by others that they are fasting. In Mathew 6:16, Jesus said “when you fast do not put on a sad face as the hypocrites do. They neglect their appearances so that everyone will see that they are fasting. I assure you they have already been paid in full”.
OBJECTIVES OF PRAYER & FASTING IN LENT
The following could be adopted as objectives of prayer and fasting by individuals and the Church:
1. To humble ourselves and seek God and strengthen our spiritual lives in order to do the will of God – fulfill his purposes.
2. To join as a body of Christ in a corporate fast to pray for the Church to fulfill its mandate of fulfilling the Great Commission.
3. To pray for the salvation, restoration and reconciliation of families.
4. To re-knew our commitment in the service of Jesus Christ as his disciples to resolve to be the salt and the light of the world.
5. To pray for our Nation as never before and our local communities.
6. To pray for Israel as a Nation.
Rev. Irene Akankwasa
PRIEST IN CHARGE – PRAYER & INTERCESSION