Easter prayers

A number of our men sense they are being called by God to pray deeply as we head into the wonder of Easter. There is something special about quieting ones spirit and allowing God to draw us into the miracle of the Easter events that are central to our faith.

Our Easter services start with a Thursday night service that is heavy, quiet and dark reminding us of some of that happened as Jesus prepared to go to the cross. You can read the biblical account in Matthew 26 where we see the weight of those final hours on Jesus. Some men are going to be praying at the church the whole night through on hour shifts and I'd like to encourage you to join them as they seek God's face and allow the Holy Spirit to renew them and their love for Jesus.

Come spend some time in quiet reflection before God. There will be men on duty from after the 7:00 pm service right through till 6:00 am and then we will be gathering for a 9:00 am Good Friday service.

May it be said of us that we're a people of prayer.

Fasting over Lent?

Lent starts today. It is a season where we allow ourselves to be carried back to the cross of Jesus and to remember all that was done on our behalf.

Lent is the season of forty days before Easter where we reflect on what Jesus gave up to serve us, and to save us and to open up to us the way to God. One of the ways we remember what Jesus did is by fasting. Jesus says to us in Matthew 6 'when we fast...' so it seems that fasting is not something we might do, and or even should do. It is instead something we will do as we follow Christ.

Of course our modern consumer culture would think it strange to give up anything. Ever. But the culture of the Bible is replete with ideas of sacrifice, emptying, losing and laying down. These ideas are sometimes practically displayed by us kneeling or bowing in worship.

It might be helpful to reflect that the point of lent then is not about us, that we might get anything out it. It is instead a season to bless and serve Jesus. Lent is a season where we put ourselves and our agendas onto the back burner. It is a season where we fast not to get anything ourselves but to give everything in worship to Jesus: lord, saviour and king!

Jesus reminds us that we are to fast without telling others. It is something done for His glory not ours and so we do it quietly and inwardly as an exercise of personal reflection and worship. Smile as you crave, grin as you hunger and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. What is our reward? To see Jesus glorified!

May this season bring to you little, but may it give much glory and worship to Jesus!