The season of Lent symbolises a sacred time of prayer and penitence for many Christian denominations, including Anglican, Lutheran and Catholic.
This 40-day period of fasting (excluding Sundays) from Ash Wednesday leading up to Easter is a time of personal reflection and preparation to receive Christ’s love, grace and mercy anew at Easter.
It is also an opportunity to draw nearer to God and to grow spiritually.
So if you, like millions of Christians in Mzansi and around the world, seek a deeper connection with your Maker this Lent, here are some of the things you can do.
Be intentional about spending time with God
Spending time with God allows for a closer relationship and deeper connection with Him. Life can get very busy so being intentional about your quiet time with God is important. Set an appointment with God and honour it. During this time, you can meditate upon the penitential psalms as you earnestly seek God, or read the gospels as you gain a deeper understanding of the life and character of Christ.
Adopt purposeful prayer
Not only is prayer a crucial part of Lent, it is also important for overall spiritual growth. There are different ways to get the most out of your prayers, including the ACTS method which adds structure to your prayer life through four components namely Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
Using this method, your prayer would start by praising God for who He is, after which you would confess your sins, give thanks and lastly present your specific requests to God. There are plenty of ways to add purpose to your prayer life; find one which will work best for your relationship with God.
Repent and practise generosity
Penitence and generosity are crucial parts of the Lenten season. Through repentance, you turn away from sin and self-centeredness. Laying your life at the feet of God who forgives all who truly repent, you re-dedicate yourself to living a life that serves Him.
Practising generosity or doing something good for others is a way to extend God’s grace, love and generosity. During this time, explore the various ways in which you can give or be of help to others.
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