First Day of Lent

Today is the first of Lent - " a time when many Christians prepare for Easter (the day of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave). Christians observe Lent by setting aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ through fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.

By stripping down to essentials, Lent enables us to focus on our individual relationship with God, let go of the bondage of sin and celebrate freedom from the bondage of slavery. During this time, Christians meditate on the great sacrifice Jesus made by dying on the cross to pay the price of everyone’s sins and His ultimate triumph over the grave through His resurrection from death!" (quoting TFC's Lent post)

I am participating in Lent this year, specifically in The Forsaken Children (TFC) Lent Challenge by sacrificing my time on Facebook and sodas throughout this 40+ day period. I will use the times I would regularly be on Facebook (during my lunch break, in the evenings, random wait periods) or the times I crave that soda at lunch to PRAY. Not only will I pray to my Savior about the things going on in my world, enjoying more intimacy in our relationship together, but I will also specifically pray for The Forsaken Children in the following details- choosing a different topic each day: 

• Pray for the beneficiaries/children of Onesimus who know Christ that they mature in their faith.
• Pray for those beneficiaries/children who do not yet know Jesus as Savior.
• Pray for the Onesimus staff as they seek wisdom from God and minister to the children/families of their country. Staff names: Nega, Alex, Ribika, Emu, Netsanet, Sodo, Mesfin, Fitele, Abezu, Alemayehu, Seble and Wanashet.
• Pray for The Forsaken Children’s Board Members as they seek wisdom and His direction for The Forsaken Children.
• Pray for Central Church’s Short Term Ethiopia Missions Team: Pray for the leader, Kelly McGugan, the people who join the team, fundraising, team building/fellowship and God’s plan for ministry while in Addis Ababa.

 
It is not too late to join the challenge and observe Lent to acknowledge all that Christ has done for us - check out the TFC link to learn more. I'm looking forward to what God has in store for me during this time and am reminded already of the ultimate sacrifice He gave by sending His one and ONLY Son to die for the debt I owed. Thank you Jesus!

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

PS. If you're participating in the TFC Lent Challenge - please share your stories, things sacrificed, and what God shows you and does along the way - post on the TFC blog - HERE, or email:  admin@theforsakenchildren.org.