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Lent: A call to prayer

By Nate Smith

Lent is a time for personal reflection, repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming Easter.  A set forty days for self-examination and giving up something in order to prepare our hearts.

It is a chance to come with expectation for greater things.  We, as Christians, have this crazy belief that Jesus, who walked in the flesh, actually died and rose again.  Death itself has been conquered.  This is the reason, and the only reason, we have to gather, to worship and break bread.  It is all about Jesus.

Friends, it is time to prepare our hearts, not as individuals, but as a community seeking the Lord with great expectation.

Jesus reminded them, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

What is this “power” and what does it actually mean to go to the ends of the earth?

Jesus’ rhetoric echoes what He previously said in the Gospel of John, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 1:12).

What was the community’s reaction?  “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his disciples” (Acts 1:14).

Before Pentecost, the explosion of the Lord’s Spirit onto the nations, the community prepared their hearts waiting for greater things.  A small group of people waiting and wondering what Jesus was actually talking about.  The believers knew Jesus’ heart and how he conquered death.  Yet, I have a hunch they wanted clarity on what Jesus meant, so they did what they knew best… to gather together pray, break bread and wait with expectation.  The Pentecost itself was not conceivable in their minds.  And still, “they all joined together constantly in prayer!

Friends, it is time for us to do the same.  What would happen if we all dedicated the next forty days to prayer?  We as individuals, prayed as a unit, for what Jesus wants for us as a Body of believers.  Forty days of prayer seeking His face with expectation for greater things to come.  Grab a friend to sit, rest and pray.

The entire week leading up to Easter Sunday, we will be helping to host daily 24 hour continual prayer at the Lexington House of Prayer.  Details here:  http://simplechurchalliance.faclex.com/blog/2016/02/10/247-prayer-the-week-of-easter/

Here is a daily Lent podcast for those, who are interested:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJuxgOp1QBXfb-qFQONAtiA

Come with expectation this Lent season.  Prepare your hearts.

It is time for something different.

You can contact Nate at barlowchico@gmail.com

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