February 22, 2023 is Ash Wednesday, a day that heralds Lent annually. Lent is a 40-day season of fasting and penitence that precedes Easter. Lent is marked by a number of things. In BETTY AMUKPO’s chat with some children, they revealed how they will observe Lent itemizing the most critical things synonymous with Lenten season.
‘I will be kind to people’
Lenten season is that period that brings us closer to Christ and leaves us changed by the encounter with Him. The forty days of Lent is a set time to work on our personal discipline in general. Lent helps me to focus on the incredible love Jesus has shown me. The book of Isaiah 40:31 states that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. During this Lent my strength will be renewed. I wait for the Lord and I will be strong (Psalm 27:14). How I will observe this Lent:
• I will be kind to people
• I will pray my Rosary
• I will take my time to read the bible
• I will reduce my intake of food and sweets
• I will fast for at least six hours. The main aim for Lent is to
• Pray
• Fast
• Give alms.
• Chima Anita
‘I plan to sacrifice some of the things that make me happy like my snacks and food and share with the needy’
The purpose of Lent is to help us grow in our faith and become spiritually stronger. The ways I am preparing for lent are: I want to be more prayerful to understand where in my life I need to grow or change. Pray and ask God to enlighten my mind and heart to where I can be of more service to God. Give my best time to pray and listen. The cardinal points of the Lenten season are sacrifice, almsgiving and prayer. I plan to sacrifice some of the things that make me happy like my snacks and food and share with the needy. I also plan to draw closer to God through prayer and Bible study during the season. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you”. (1 Peter 5:6)
• Blossom Akalezi
‘I will be more sincere and faithful towards our Lord Jesus Christ’
Lent is not just a forty-day • Josephine Oluwakomi preparation, it’s a lifetime thing that requires an everyday preparation. From the book of Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord”. Lent does not wait for us, but we wait for it and during the process of waiting, we cleanse ourselves and be holy which requires an everyday action of sincerity and faithfulness towards our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Eyinade Gideon
‘I will pray more than usual’
We have the traditional Catholic practices of praying, fasting, and almsgiving. So, I will pray more than usual, I will eat smaller portion or fewer meals, and give up my favourite food or drink as well as do more of works of mercy during Lent.
• Okononfua Bryan
‘I am prepared to fast and pray during Lent’
Lent is a forty-day period of fasting, prayer and alms giving in preparation for Easter. The Scripture states in Joel 2:12, “Even now declares the Lord, return to me with all your hearts, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” Consequently, I am prepared to fast and pray during lent.
• Bibiana Madudihe
‘I have the traditional Catholic practices of praying, fasting and almsgiving’
I have the traditional Catholic practices of praying, fasting and almsgiving. Gen 3:19 states, “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and dust you shall return”.
• Afolabi Matthew Olayemi
‘Visit the sick and prisoners’
As a Christian and child of God, I will observe lent specially by praying without season, fasting and almsgiving, visiting the sick, prisoners and the needy, encouraging them to have faith and trust in God. Matt 19:26 states, “with God all things are possible”
• Umennadi Francis Chibunna
‘Going for Stations of the Cross on Wednesday and Friday’
Lent is a period the Catholic Church remembers the passion (suffering) and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. It starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness without food and water. After that He was tempted by the devil (Mark 1:13, Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13). Lent is a period of solemn reflection, when we reflect on the sufferings of Christ that brought us salvation, and we became sorry for our sins. By His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-6). We prepare for lent by:
1. Being fervent in our prayers.
2. Avoiding sin at all cost.
3. Going to confession and reconciling with God.
4. Fasting and abstaining from meat and pleasures and delicious meals.
5. Going for Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays and Fridays.
6. Doing good and giving alms to the less privilege and by loving one another.
7. Obeying my parents.
8. Praying to God to be close to Him.
• Chibuike Anyasor
‘Walk on this spiritual journey with Jesus as we look forward to His crucifixion, death and resurrection’
Lent is a liturgical season in the Catholic Church that begins with administering of ashes on our foreheads (Daniel 9:3), and that day is known as Ash Wednesday. Lent is a forty-day and night spiritual journey which calls to mind the number of days Jesus spent in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2). During Lent, Alleluia is omitted and the Church’s liturgical colour is purple or violet. I am ready to walk on this spiritual journey with Jesus as we look forward to His crucifixion and death (John 19: 25,30) on the cross and His Glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday. I am ready for Lent, what about you? Lent is not just a forty-day
• Josephine Oluwakomi
