Ash Wednesday 18 February - Maundy Thursday 2 April
You are invited to join us in observing the 40 days of Lent this year
4 ways you could join in with Lent
In Quietness & Trust, read the reflection for the day (pick up a copy on Sunday or order one here)
Pray for the subject of the day (see below)
Observe a fast – you are invited to include a digital discipline (ideas below)
Keep a journal of how God speaks to you through this time
Resources
If you want to learn more about Fasting and Lent, The Bible Project have a great discussion of Feasting and Fasting, or you can find some useful resources at Practicing the Way
Lent
Lent is how many people commemorate Jesus’ 40 days fasting in the desert before He began His public ministry of preaching the Kingdom with power and bringing glory to God. It is a period of repentance and restraint before the great celebration of Easter. The Greek Orthodox church calls it the “bright sadness”.
Fasting
Alongside our reading and self-preparation on the downward journey, through Lent, to the cross – we can create room for the Holy Spirit to move us in our spirit and aid us in attending to our souls by participating in a fast. As we always say, what and how you choose to fast is entirely up to you and how you feel the Lord leads you (there are some ideas below).
Attention is now the defining resource of our age … and if attention is the substance of life, then the question of what we pay attention to is the question of what our lives will be.
The Siren’s Call by Chris Hayes
We would encourage you to consider a “digital fast” – maybe even adopting one that becomes a lifestyle. We are all aware of the addictive nature of our phones and the way they get more attention than our loved ones and, probably, the Lord. There are some fasting ideas below.
Fasting Ideas
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Cut out chocolate / desserts / sweets
Cut out meat
Cut out alcohol / caffeine
Drink just water (hot or cold)
Miss one meal per day
Fast food for 24 hours (or longer) once a week
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Remove all screens from bedrooms
Come off social media
Turn off your phone for periods of time – 10pm to 8am or 6pm to 6am etc
Leave your devices in a different room when you sleep
In the hour after you wake up, pray, read the bible, talk to real people, do something, anything, before you look at your device
Leave your buds/earphones behind when out and about
Drive your car in silence
Allocate a window in the day when you will look at your devices
Turn off sounds, buzzes and flashes for notifications
Go to the shop rather than order online
Go to the checkout that has a person rather than self-checkout
Leave your phone in your bag/pocket when sitting at the meal table
Prayer habits
Monday
Praying for people to come to know and follow Jesus, for conversions and baptisms. For spiritual encounters at work, on the streets, in our gatherings. For Alpha, TryPraying and Doughnuts & Prayer.
Tuesday
Praying for healing, for physical and mental healing in our community. Praying specifically for those we know who are not well.
Wednesday
Praying for material wellbeing, in our own church family first and in the community beyond too. For jobs and financial security, for food and shelter for all. Praying for the ministry of the Lantern and the Pantry.
Thursday
Praying for creativity to flourish and grow: for artists, writers, musicians, dancers, actors, image makers, videographers. For remunerative careers and for beauty in our church community.
Friday
Praying for Leeds Vineyard to grow as a diverse church which learns to love and express diversity in worship, food and living together.
Saturday
Praying for revival: for the Holy Spirit to come, for conviction and repentance to follow, for a move of God in our city and in our country.
Sunday
Praying for the children and young people to have fun, learn biblical truth, make friends and enjoy lasting memories of encountering the Holy Spirit today. For every person to leave differently to how they arrived as a result of the ministry of Jesus through worship, teaching, prayer or fellowship.