“But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14 NASB

When I was a girl I was raised in a devoutly Catholic tradition. All the Holy Days were observed, as well as special practices of devotion, such as going to mass on the First Friday of every month. No meat on Fridays, and, believe it or not, we also as a family fasted from Saturday night until Sunday after church to prepare ourselves to receive Christ in the Eucharist each week.

My dear mother was the driving force behind this devotion. I often find myself reflecting on the wonderful example of faith and devotion she taught us in our most formative years. Prayer was a given. Fasting expected. Years later I thought on this when reading Jesus’s teaching in the gospels: “WHEN you fast…” And, “WHEN you pray…”. These were common practices which we in modernity often forgo in leu of busy, hectic schedules, and also our theology causing us to bask in the tradition of, “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9

And, yet. Why can there not be prayer and fasting that is not for salvation, but simply for a sign of devotion, of care and concern? Fasting on behalf of others. Spending time in regular prayer and supplication on behalf of the sick, the broken, the suffering?

Pouring out our hearts before the Mercy Seat of the Most High?

The Lenten season which is upon us now, is such a perfect time for reflection. Traditionally 40 days long, it is meant to be a time of taking stock of our lives, our shortcomings. A time of repentance and acknowledgement of what is true. Not wallowing in condemnation, but taking a good look with an honest eye, and asking God who loves us to help us, correct us, set us upon the right path once again. For His ways are always towards freedom and wholeness, and His plans for us are always good.

Brothers and sisters, in this Lenten season, let us pray for one another with genuine love and concern. Let us pray for our neighbors and our communities with love, and kindness. Let us repent of the times we have fallen far short of that love. Let us seek God that we might love one another with a sincere heart, and determine to live our lives in such a way that others might see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.

For even as it by faith alone that we are saved, let us never forget that the same Divine Author also wrote, “For faith, without works, is dead.” James 2:26.Lord! Hear our prayer. Amen.

~ Debbie Ecker