An invitation I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self‑examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self‑denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. BCP p.265 I love this invitation to a holy lent from the Ash Wednesday service in our Book of Common Prayer. I love it because it is as much about taking things up and putting them into action as it is about putting things down and giving them up. All the actions listed in the “invitation” are practices that Christians around the world have followed since the days of the early church. They are tools that can help us grow in our relationship with our Lord … IF we are willing to pick them up and use them. So why not pick one of these tools and use it for the 40 days of Lent. It does not have to be elaborate or complicated. In fact, simple is often better. You could pick a short Bible passage and read it every day during lent taking time to meditate and to ponder that you've read. Perhaps you'd like to work on prayer. Maybe start with the Lord's prayer... praying each phrase slowly and deliberately. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you pray. You might choose fasting and self denial. Sometimes when we deliberately put something down or give something up it makes space for God to do something new in our lives. Perhaps there's a particular food or activity that you might set aside for the time of Lent. again, ask God's Holy Spirit to guide you and to speak to you if you choose to do this. The point of picking up these tools and using them is to help us grow in our relationship with Christ. It's not so much about being holy, or good, or pious, as it is about the attitude of our heart. So, I invite you, to the observance of a holy Lent. No RSVP required. Blessings, Matthew+ Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP p. 218) | 
