Ash Wednesday a Season of Penance

Ash Wednesday is a Christian holy day of prayer and fasting. …

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the placing of repentance ashes on the foreheads of participants to either the words “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or the dictum “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Wikipedia

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lent when we enter a season of 40 days fasting and praying. A period of reflection, replicating the fasting of Jesus Christ observing 40days in the desert

 

the ashes are made from burned blessed palms of last year’s Palm Sunday. These ashes are mixed with holy water and used as a sign of the cross on once forehead.  A proclamation in this day and age that we belong to Jesus. and not ashamed of the Gospel. The priests reminds us when placing the ash that ‘dust you are and dust you shall return to’. Reminding us all that death is preeminent and nobody knows when. We might have been living a very busy life. Preoccupying our lives with mundane early things, too busy for God. Ash Wednesday brings you back to reality a chance for a new beginning to start afresh and work in the Lord. Be hungry to be of service in God’s kingdom. To have a burden like Jesus Christ did, to remember that we are alive just by grace.

A reminder that we are ALL GONNA DIE!

For he knows our frame;[a]
    he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
    and its place knows it no more. (Psalm 103:14-16)

 

Ash a symbol of death is used as a sign of repentance, humility, and mortality. Hence the priest reminds us on receiving the ash “for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” … Gen 3:19

The ash is to acknowledge that we are sinners in need of repentance and renewal.

 

During the 40 days Lenten season(Lent is also a privileged time for prayer)

A season of FASTING – PRAYER – PENITENCE (self-examination and repentance)

The Three Pillars Of Lent

  1. Pray to grow closer to God
  2. Fasting reminds us of our dependence on God, Jesus sacrifice for us and interceding for the weak and less fortunate
  3. Give alms to the needy. Remembering them in our prayers, those who are less priviledged than you. People with no roofs over their head. People in war turn zones, the persecuted Christians, Orphans etc.

This year we encourage you to put down your mobile phone, disconnect or reduce your social media engagement, reduce your TV, netflix, Nollywood watching and reconnect, dedicating more time to reading the WORD, praying more, developing a deeper relationship with God, imitating Jesus, developing a quiet time to focus on God and the burden of His heart.

What are you giving up this lenten season? As well as having a 40 day fast we are encourage to crucify our flesh by giving up what we love most. Perhaps its morning cffee and saving the money to give to the poor.

What is the Lord calling you to do this season of Lent?. Is it Evangelism, Intercession, Worship, Children ministry, Destitute etc.

 

“It’s not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly;

who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms,

the great devotions and spends himself in a worth cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement;

and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly,

so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                         It’s Not The Critic Who Counts by Theodore Roosevelt

0 Comments

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *