Helping Latter-day Saints learn about Lent through daily devotionals to help elevate their Easter celebrations in a higher and holier way.
[Latter-day Lent] Official Start: Ash Wednesday
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As you begin this process of fasting from something for 40 days, the goal is to grow closer to Christ. Attach this deep spiritual meaning to the thing you are sacrificing, and you'll be able to manage this process so much better. Today might be tough to give up something, but more likely than not, you're probably going to feel motivated and inspired to push for change and keep going, because this is a new thing and you're all fired up. In a week, you might not feel the same. So today, focus on why you're making this sacrifice. What is the deep spiritual meaning you are attaching to it? Think of Daryl's story about his sacrifice. What are you putting on the altar before the Lord? Perhaps think of it this way. Let's say you're not watching TV shows for Lent. Whenever you want to watch a TV show, you say either out loud or in your heart: "Father, I'm not watching this TV show because I am putting it on the altar for Thee. This is my sacrifice. Please give me strength to remember that when all my friends are talking about the latest episode!" This simple approach will help you get closer to Christ by reminding you of why you're doing it! Scriptures/ReadingsWords of the ProphetsToo many people consider repentance as punishment—something to be avoided except in the most serious circumstances. But this feeling of being penalized is engendered by Satan. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ, who stands with open arms, hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us.
The word for repentance in the Greek New Testament is metanoeo. The prefix meta- means “change.” The suffix -noeo is related to Greek words that mean “mind,” “knowledge,” “spirit,” and “breath.”
Thus, when Jesus asks you and me to “repent,” He is inviting us to change our mind, our knowledge, our spirit—even the way we breathe. He is asking us to change the way we love, think, serve, spend our time, treat our wives, teach our children, and even care for our bodies.
Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
President Nelson, We Can Do Better and Be Better. Daily journal promptA special event you’ve shared with your friends ⚯ Lectionary References |
Latter-day Lent
Helping Latter-day Saints learn about Lent through daily devotionals to help elevate their Easter celebrations in a higher and holier way.