“Then I turned to the Lord God to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, ‘Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments.’”
– Daniel 9:3-4 (NRSVue)
Activity
Daniel’s prayer in the Old Testament book of same name—with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes—echoes present-day practices on Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on Wednesday, Feb. 18. At the beginning of the season of Lent, Christians around the world attend Ash Wednesday services where they receive the mark of ashes on their foreheads as a sign of repentance and confession of sins. Many also begin a season of fasting in Lent, sometimes giving up favorite or luxury foods until Easter Sunday.
What can you give up for Lent? How would giving up that thing represent repentance for you, and how would it help you recommit to your faith?