Into the Wilderness / 40 Days of Fasting, Prayer, and Confession
into the wilderness : Lent 2024
We are again observing the season of Lent as a church this year. To focus our hearts on fasting, prayer, and confession as we journey through the wilderness with Jesus in preparation for the cross and resurrection.
What Is Lent?
The word “Lent” can invoke several thoughts, questions, and feelings, depending on your background with the Church. If you grew up in an evangelical church, you probably think of it as some strange Catholic tradition, where folks put ashes on their foreheads and give up different kinds of foods every year. If you grew up in a liturgical tradition, you may have had a good experience or, perhaps, you file it away in the junk drawer of legalism given some bad experiences. Whatever the case, Lent doesn’t have to be seen as either rote or mystifying. Like the rest of the seasons, it can be seen rightly and faithfully when understood through the lens of Jesus—the one true story of the Bible.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 14th, which kicks off 40 days of prayer and fasting—representing Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week, during which we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), the Last Supper with His disciples (Maundy Thursday) and His death on the cross (Good Friday). The season officially ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter, March 31st.
In a culture inundated by individualism and hedonism, with rhythms and practices that turn our desires toward the things we think we need, Lent turns our desires toward Jesus, the only thing we truly need, helping us trade lesser loves for His greater love. It is a season to prepare for the joy and hope of Easter.
While Advent is a celebration and a time of great anticipation, Lent is more frequently seen as a time of solemn observance and preparation for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. Just as we carefully prepare for events in our personal lives, as a wedding, or birthday; a commencement Lent invites us to make our minds and hearts ready for remembering Jesus’ life, death and body resurrection.
Our Prayer Focus
Over the next 40 days, we will be uniting in prayer through a few overall themes and a weekly theme given each Sunday. It is no coincidence in our mind that as this season is one of preparation that we are also preparing to open our building fully and see all God has planned for us unfold. Below you will find three key prayer themes we ask you to include in your daily or weekly prayers:
Revelation and Preparation / We are praying that God would reveal temptations, obstacles, narratives, or sins that are standing in our way of fully living in Christ as well as preparing our hearts, heads, and hands to fully step into all that He has planned for each of us as a person and as a people.
Forgiveness and Wholeness / If there is a promise that we must focus on in this season is that although we are sinful people the grace of God abounds towards us! We are praying that we would fully know his forgiveness and walk in wholeness.
Renewal and Resurrection / Life happens to us all. And sometimes we happen to it. We will be praying that all areas of our life, especially our faith, are renewed and resurrected. Dead things come back to life. Weary things would stand up again. God would breathe the spirit of God into us all!
Gathered Weekly Prayer & Fasting
There are very few things in the body of Christ more special and powerful than uniting together in prayer. During Lent, we will gather several ways to pray together.
Wednesday and Friday starting Feb 21st from 11am-2pm for prayer. The space will be open and music will be playing so that you can come and meet with Jesus.
Men’s Prayer will be happening every Wednesday morning from 6:30am-7:30am.
Join us in fasting each Wednesday starting after dinner on Tuesdays and breaking fast with prayer at Dinner Party on Wednesday nights.
Every Sunday A Feast
Every Sunday during Lent is an opportunity to celebrate all that God is doing so each Sunday during Lent we will gather after service for a meal together. From potluck to the park to local restaurants. Mark the following dates and more details to come.
February 18th - Potluck at Church (sign-up to bring food)
February 25th
March 3rd
March 10th
March 17th
March 24th
Prayer and fasting resources
For many of us the rhythm or pattern of fasting and prayer is new or has been a challenge to make consistent. It may be that we need a better idea of what fasting is or that we are needing a guide to help us know what to pray. Listed below are a few articles, videos, or books that might help you as you journey toward the cross.
Bible Reading Plans
Lent For Everyone - NT Wright and Bible.com
Thru the Gospels - Bible Gateway
Lent with Family - The Purposeful Mom
Fasting Articles & Podcasts
Starve the Flesh, Feed the Spirit - Message from Bridgetown Church
Offering Ourselves to God - Practicing the Way podcast
How to Fast For Lent - Article from Gravity Commons
Prayer Guides and Devotionals
A Way Other Than Our Own: Lent Devotionals by Walter Brueggemann
Lent: A Season of Repentance and Renewal by Esau McCaulley
40 Days of Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People by Pete Greig