Kia ora e te whānau,
Tomorrow the global church begins the church calendar season of Lent. These 40 days ahead are a period to prepare our hearts and lives accordingly for the Easter event, which is the central event of our faith; the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Lent is used to lengthen us, to cause us to wait, and to enter the waiting. It is a time to engage in suffering and chaos faithfully, not distant from it, but being with God in it. Historically it has been a 40 day fast with no food, or a time to give up a pleasure of some kind intentionally.
We have three things we want to pass on to you as we enter this season together.
Global call to peace
This year amongst the disorder of current global events we are joining the wider global church in a call to seeking peace. Pope Francis recently said:
“And now, I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical evil of violence is answered with the weapons of God, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to make March 2, Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting for peace. I encourage believers in a special way to devote themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day.”
This call has been picked up by the global church, across many denominations, and tomorrow we invite you to join the chorus of prayer around our globe praying for peace.
1. As you begin Lent, consider what you can fast for the next 40 days (btw you get Sunday’s off…)
2. For Ash Wednesday, join us in fasting from food, and praying intentionally for peace.
3. In particular, pray for Ukraine. You could use this prayer below:
“God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen”
Prayer room
We have prepared some special prayer cards for this season in our 24/7 Prayer Room. Book a time to come to the prayer room to be with God through this Lent season.
As well as coming to the prayer room at any time of day, we would love to invite you to Wednesday Morning Communion as they sit in this Lent season. Sign up here
Lent for families
In New Zealand, most people live in warm, stable, cosy homes with access to food, family, friends, and support. Most of us are lucky enough to feel safe and secure every day. But there are many people in New Zealand who struggle with these things daily. Even thinking of those in the Ukraine today, most of the people there have had all their stability taken away in the space of just a few hours.
So as we make our way from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday, Lent can be a significant way for families to connect, share, read and pray together. It can be an opportunity to encourage compassion, as you not only “give up” something during Lent, but also “give out” to those in need. If you choose to give up something for Lent, here are a few ways to connect as a family over the weeks leading to Easter.
As a family you could give something up you enjoy for example, your favourite lollies, chocolate, drinks, toys etc. You could aim to serve each other over the next 40 days (Sophie gave a few great example in last Sunday’s kids email). You could practice being present – spend some time together as a family without an electronic device in the room e.g. play a game together, go for a walk together. Get to know Jesus by reading the Bible or a devotional together. Bless each other and the community by gifting a small something or a kind word. Lastly, you could pray together over this time, ask God for strength to continue with whatever you are giving up and for compassion for those who have less than us.
Shrove Tuesday – start your journey for Lent today!
If you love pancakes, then Shrove Tuesday (the day before Lent) is the day for you! Make some pancakes as a family! Shrove means confess so the day before Lent was used to confess and be forgiven before Lent began. Shrove Tuesday was also the last chance for people to use up their butter and eggs before giving them up for the Lent season, so many people chose to make pancakes!
In Jesus' Way of love, grace and peace,
– Team CV