{"id":1818,"date":"2013-03-12T08:00:27","date_gmt":"2013-03-12T08:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/covenantkidscongo\/?p=1818"},"modified":"2013-03-13T19:34:40","modified_gmt":"2013-03-13T19:34:40","slug":"reflections-on-the-lent-prayer-guide-part-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/covenantkidscongo\/reflections-on-the-lent-prayer-guide-part-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflections on the Lent Prayer Guide: Part One"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Peter Dibley, Covenant pastor<\/em><\/p>\n

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Rev. Peter Dibley, pastor of First Evangelical Covenant in Rockford, IL<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

It is customary to fast and pray during the Lenten season. This year for Lent, I have been praying two sets of prayers. The first is the CKC Lenten Prayer Guide<\/a>. The other is from \u201cA Book of Prayers\u201d by Art Nelson. I would like to share part of it with you.<\/p>\n

Holy God, Servant Lord, your model of humility doesn\u2019t fit well into our categories. Thank you for showing us that we don\u2019t have to live and behave by everyone else\u2019s social rules. Thank you for not changing your mind on the cross. Thank you for loving us to the end, from beginning to the end. When we are tempted to give you a list of things and changes we\u2019d like you to give or make, remind us that what you only really give is your Spirit. We dare to believe that is what we need, and we\u2019re strong to affirm the faith that such is what we freely receive.<\/em><\/p>\n

What wondrous love is this, O my soul!<\/em><\/p>\n

These prayers have affected my decision about what and why I should fast. While contemplating what I would give up for Lent, I read an article by Julie Clawson titled “Lent Isn\u2019t About Denial \u2014 It\u2019s About Transformation<\/a>“. She takes aim at the practice of denial for the sake of denial. The title may be misleading as Clawson clearly indicates that denial is important for the Christian life, but only as a means to an end. That end is transformation. Self-denial begins the process that allows for transformation, because it takes something out of one\u2019s life and creates a space for Christ. As Christ fills one\u2019s life, that person can become more like Christ by loving people and caring for their needs. What I appreciate about the article is the question she asks, \u201cWhat can I do to allow God to transform me this season?\u201d This is a great question that points to the purpose of practicing Lent. Indeed, it is a question that one should ask everyday whether during Lent or Christmas or on vacation. So during Lent the practice of denying oneself a commodity like chocolate or coffee may be what one person needs for transformation. Denying oneself the pleasure of watching a TV show or movie may be a way to be transformed. Denying oneself of Facebook, Twitter, or texting during Lent may be transformative.<\/p>\n

So how does all of this come together? How does the act of giving up coffee, chocolate, Facebook, etc. achieve transformation? Let me give some examples:<\/p>\n