This week the Christian community begins the celebration of lent. For the next 45 days, we are to use this time dying to ourselves by denying ourselves of anything that would take our focus away from the things of God.

This also is the last week of Black History Month. How did our ancestors view this sacred time of preparation for Easter? Do you think they struggle with what to give up in order that they may draw nearer to God? Do you think they squander any of their time on trivial matters? Or did they spend their time reflecting on how such a merciful God rescued them and provided for them, even while living in oppressed conditions?

What do you think Dr. Martin Luther King thought about as he worked tirelessly to end injustice for a people who contributed much to this society? How will we use this Lenten season as we continue to witness the growing need for aide and assistance in Haiti?
In Isaiah chapter 58, God is disturbed with the worshipping, fasting and praying of His children. The people are going through the motions because it is expected of them to perform this ritual. The people then recognized that God was not responding to their requests, and they wanted an answer from God.

God’s response was that when they fasted it was not sincere because nothing about their behavior changed. In verses 3 and 4 God said “… Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voices to be heard on high.”

Further down in the text, God says, the kind of fasting He would be pleased to see is denying yourself in order that you may set the oppressed free, feed the hungry and clothed the naked. When you have done these things thing I can hear your cries for help and I will answer you.

What are you willing to give up during these 40 days of Lent? Will God be pleased with your sacrifice? Let’s begin this week by examining ourselves to make sure that God will honor our fast and hear our cries for help. Let’s us open ourselves to be a blessing to others in need.

Rev. Glencie Rhedrick

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Oh Merciful and Just God,

We come this day thanking You Lord for You looked beyond our faults, flaws and our fears and breathed into us life, love and liberty. We thank You Lord because You saw fit to forgive us each time we failed to honor Your Word and Your Will. We thank You Lord because You promised to be our guide always. We thank You because You created us in Your image; an image of Love. We thank You because you equipped us with a joy and peace that only You can give us.

We thank You for the tender mercies we receive daily. We thank You for the strength You will give us as we seek to deny ourselves over the next forty days. In denying ourselves Lord, show us how to come closer to You. In denying ourselves, Lord give us wisdom and courage to reach out beyond our own desires and help those in need. In denying ourselves, provide us with right words to speak that we may bring hope to someone who feels hopeless. In denying ourselves, help us reach deep within and use the resources to be a bridge over someone else’s troubled waters.

In denying ourselves, Lord, fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we will shine brightly with Your heavenly glow. In denying ourselves, cure our spiritual blindness in order that we may be a witness of Your gracious mercy. In denying ourselves, Oh Lord plant us in Your garden nurtured only by You in order that we may blossom in Your truth and love.

It is in the strong name of Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen Amen and Amen.

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