Prayer and fasting are the two wings of lent. Lent is a tool which enlighten us to understand about spiritual matters. Spiritual matters are more esteem than material matters. Lent helps to defeat earthly desires and to nourish the soul. To suppress carnal desires and to alert the soul, matters relating to God and to win over Satan. Lent is a commandment given by God to Adam and the Jewish church observed it. Our Lord ordered and put it into action. Disciples observed and the church confirmed it.
“This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting”(Mark 9:29). Here, “This kind” (v.29) refers to all powers of darkness, not simply that cause a particular illness. The banishment of demons requires faith, prayer and fasting. For there is no healing and no victory in spiritual warfare without all three.
How to observe?
Isaiah 58:2-7 ( refer the passage). In the day of the lent, do not find pleasure (T.v/soap opera, games or anything which is avoidable and gives you pleasure) and not to exploit your workers. Do not fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness. Be humble, bow your head like a bulrush and to spread out sack cloth. Loose the bonds of wickedness to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke. Share your bread with hungry, bring to your house the poor who are cast out.(you can do charity for homeless,orphans) When see the naked, cover him.
When you pray during lents to God, the heavenly Father or give alms to poor make sure you earnestly do and not do it for a show before some audience, as the reward for just a gimmick is just some earthly approvals or nods. For it is written,”Therefore when you give your alms, do not sound trumpet a trumpet before you, as the hypocrite do in the synagogues and in streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say to you, They have their reward .” (Mathew 6:2)
Benefits of Lents
Isaiah 58:8-14,
8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’
“If you take away the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
12 Those from among you
Shall build the old waste places;
You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,
The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
13 “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
From doing your pleasure on My holy day,
And call the Sabbath a delight,
The holy day of the Lord honorable,
And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
Nor finding your own pleasure,
Nor speaking your own words,
14 Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord;
And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,
And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
The mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
How many Lents? (As per Syrian Orthodox belief)
Wednesday Lent
Wednesday is the day of annunciation to the mother of God and hence to the well being and prosperity of the family, this day is observed as a day of remembrance of the mother and also observed as a day of mourning as on this day Judas Iscariot betrayed Lord Jesus.
Friday Lent
Remembering the persecution and suffering of the Lord on this day of crucifixion, the church observe this day as lent as a day of sorrow.
The Church father Mar Polycarp of Smyrna of second century exhort to observe these two as lent. Like exhortation is seen in a book written in the second century “the Hermas the shepherd “. Jews observed Mondays and Thursdays as lent days. We christian church changed and decided to observe Wednesday and Friday as days of lent. On Saturdays, Sundays and maranaya feast we don’t observe fasting.
Above, other than these two days lent. There are five canonical Lents the church insist, these are:
- Nineveh Lent
- The Great Lent
- Apostles Lent
- Assumption Lent
- Yeldho Lent (Lent of advent)
1) Nineveh Lent (The three days Lent)
The church started to observe the lent from the fourth century. This lent falls in January or February every year. The three day fast of Nineveh commemorates the three days that Prophet Jonah spent inside the belly of the Great Fish and the subsequent fast and repentance of the Ninevites at the warning message of the prophet Jonah according to the bible (Book of Jonah in the Bible).
When prophet Jonah proclaimed that great danger is very imminent to Nineveh. To escape from the anger of God, the king, subjects and animals fasted without taking food and water , wearing sack clothes sitting on ashes. God saved the city out of mercy. This lent is in remembrance of this great experience. Even before Jonah, at the time of Esther, Nehemiah and Daniel three day lent were observed and received mercy from God and we learn this from scriptures.
Pharisees asked a sign from Lord Jesus, Christ answered them saying,” no sign shall be given except the sign of prophet Jonah.For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Mt 12:39-41 ) Three days and three nights is a prophetic type of Christ’s three day sojourn in the”heart of the earth” i.e Sheol or Hades or place where deceased soul would go. Christ raised from the dead on the third day. Notice the beauty of fulfillment of prophecy and greatness of our living God.
2) The great Lent ( fifty days Lent)
It started from AD 325. This lent is observed for forty days as the Lord Jesus observed plus ten days to remember His persecution. This lent highlights the salvation of the mankind through the incarnation of God.
40 days lent was observed not only by our Lord, Moses and Elijah also observed them. It is written by early church fathers who lived in the fourth century that this lent was observed by the beginning church in it’s early days. The date of this lent is arrived in accordance with the date of resurrection fixed by the synod of Nicea in AD 325. Every year the date of the lent changes.
Jesus after being baptized by John, the baptist, went to desert and fasted for forty days. Satan tempted Lord Christ thrice. First, by saying convert this stone to food. Second, asking God to jump from a height and His angels will hold Him. Even quoting from psalms.Third, asked God to bow before him for all wealth. God Jesus succeeded from temptation thrice.
Notice during fasting how satan tempted. First by food, to which Jesus replied,”It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceed out of the mouth of God”. Second by misinterpreting the passage of psalm. To which Christ replied,” It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. ” Third by wealth. To which Christ replied,” for it is written, Thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve”.
3) Apostles Lent (thirteen days Lent)
It is observed since six century. We observe this lent in the name of apostles numbering 12 plus one, our Lord. Every year this lent falls between June 16 and 29.
12 Apostle of Christ are: Peter; James; John; Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James; Thaddaeus or Judas; Simon the Cananaean; Matthias (Matthias was in place of Judas Iscariot, refer Acts 1: 26)
During the lent we commemorate the trials and hardship they went through, while spreading the good news of Christ with all dedication. We also remember Peter and Paul during the the lent. Peter is the first to convert a gentile and st. Paul is known the apostle of gentiles. We ask the apostles to intercede for us.
4) Assumption Lent (Fifteen days Lent)
From sixth century this lent is observed. It is observed in the name of the mother of the God and in remembrance of her assumption. This lent ends on the the day of assumption of the mother of mother. Every year we celebrate this from August 1 to 15.
Mother Mary is regarded the most holiest and blessed among saints. For Mother Mary was a virgin, who was blessed to be called the mother of Christ (theotokos) because word of God was bestowed upon her. During the wedding at Cana, we can see that Jesus respects and loves His earthly Mother. Even though it was not the right time but Jesus listened to Mother Mary and performed miracle. During this lent ask Mother Mary to intercede for us.
5) Lent of Advent (Twenty five days Lent)
It started from sixth century. It is connected with birth of Christ. Every year it falls between December 1 to 25. It ends on Christmas day.
This is a time of joy for both heaven and earth rejoiced as our savior is born among us. Christ taught the virtue of humility through His parable and life. Our King chose to be born in a manger, visited and adored by shepherds and 3 magi. Prophecy of coming of Messiah by prophets like Isaiah, David and many more was fulfilled.
Personal views
Lent is something which is important to us, why? Lent helps us realize the beauty of life and attain peace, not worldly peace but divine spiritual tranquillity. It’s not just starving for a half a day (avoiding, meat, egg or fish and any dairy product) and reciting prayers. The Church insist to observe five canonical lent diligently(we do observe other lents like assumption of mother Mary but canonical lents are strictly meant to observed). We, Indian Orthodox fast till 12’o clock noon. Fasting, avoiding certain food materials, being continuously in contact with God, through bible reading and prayer, are some of the observation during lent.
Orthodox faithful should pray 7 times a day. This scheme of worship is known as prayers of seven canonical hours. Lenten prayers of suthoro / compline (at 9 pm) and lilyo/midnight (at 12) consist of prayers of repentance. Prayers of other hours contain descriptions of fasting and related petitions.
Prayers is something talking to God with humble and righteous heart. We share to Him like a small naive child shares everything to their parents. For God said when you pray make sure you close the door and no one hears you except you and the Father in heaven.(refer Mathew 6:6) Parable of tax collector and Pharisee (refer Luke 18: 9-14) also teaches us the same. It is also said in the bible, while fasting apply some oil to your hair and always have a smile than an look which shows other that you are fasting. For such fasting are worthless.
Fasting is also a way to empathize to those who are poor and hungry. In empathy you would acknowledge their troubles and act kindly. This also helps perceive to be thankful to God for each blessings we have.
Many times we become arrogant of the things we possess and start complaining of the things we don’t own. Then we are succumbed to feel uneasy, lost and greedy. God loves us, just be true to yourself, that’s all what God wants. We all are God’s children. God wants us to be happy and kind. Everything the Father said Lord Jesus, the son, obeyed. Gods wants us to be more human towards fellow being. I will end this blog by quoting Galatians 6:7-9 , “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
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