This Week at Hope Church

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The word “lent” means “springtime” in English, and refers to the lengthening days of the season. Since ancient times, Christians have marked forty days preceding Easter as a season of humiliation, repentance and intercessory prayer. These forty days correspond to the number of days and nights which Christ spent fasting in the wilderness (Luke 4), and Moses spent mediating the covenant at Mt. Sinai (Deuteronomy 9-10). Christians use these forty days to symbolically separate themselves from the world and worldly habits in order to more fully submit themselves to Christ. Reflecting on Christ’s suffering and commemorating His atonement prepares us to celebrate His resurrection. What the Season of Advent is to Christmas, Lent is to Easter. Walking through the acts of this Gospel story shapes our everyday lives and behavior.

The Season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday (the seventh Wednesday before Easter), includes Palm Sunday and culminates in Holy Week (the six Sundays preceding Easter). Ash Wednesday is a day of prayer that recalls the biblical practice of fasting with sackcloth and ashes, to remind us that, “you are made from the dust of the earth, and to dust you shall return” (Gen. 3:19). On this day, liturgical colors in the church change from green to purple, reflecting the symbolic shift from general blessing and flourishing, to Christ’s suffering and ultimate royal sovereignty in resurrection.

Lent has been a time of spiritual exercise, challenge and strengthening through spiritual habits. In light of Deuteronomy 9:18-29, it is a time of lament and interceding on behalf of others. During this time, many Christians practice the spiritual exercise of sacrifice, or self-denial, by giving up certain pleasures as an act of consecration. Some believers voluntarily forego some meals (or sometimes a particular food of their choice, (e.g. red meat, soft-drinks, coffee, sweets, chocolate, alcohol, etc.) or an activity (e.g., watching movies, playing video games, reading novels, etc.). The purpose is not to break bad habits or improve health, but rather, by weakening the grip of worldly foods, to grow hungry in our appetite for God. Hunger humbles us, reminds us to pray and places our dependence on Christ’s sufficiency. Only by understanding our limits, frailty and disordered desires, can we appreciate the grace and mercy of God. 

Because of health concerns or schedule responsibilities, not everyone may be able to fast from food, and that’s okay. Some may want to forgo eating breakfast and/or lunch. Check with your doctor if you are unsure about your medical or dietary needs. Participation is not an obligation, it is completely voluntary (1 Timothy 4:1-5). As Jesus teaches us, we cannot think more or less of a person’s spirituality by what we see them do—only God sees our hearts. 

Fasting should never be attempted without prayer. We must always speak and listen to our Father in Heaven, and especially so in times of trial. (For more information on the Biblical teaching of prayer and fasting, see Matthew chapter 6 and Isaiah 58:3-13 which examine unrighteous motives and proper reasons for fasting.) Personally, my prayer times have been blessed during this time by the daily reading of classic devotional literature, such as Meditations on the Life of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, or Meditations on Psalms by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. During Lent, Christians have also focused on serving the poor and needy. If you have questions about Lent, talk with Pastor James.

Memorize James 1:4-5 for April 12

“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

New Testament History: Matthew, Mark,   Luke, John, Acts

2026 Memory Verses 

Jan 11 Deut 10:12-13

Feb 8 Psa 56:3-4

Mar 8 Phil 2:5-7

Apr 12 Jas 1:4-5

May 10  Col 3:1-3

Jun 14 1 Tim 2:5

Jul 12 Eph 6:14-15

Aug 9 Rom 1:16 [17]
Sep 13 2 Cor 9:8

Oct 11 Isa 46:9-10

Nov 8 John 15:5

Dec 13 Psa 23:1-2