Anyone wanting to strengthen faith during Lent?

[lucysnowe]

Hi all

Today I went to church for the first time in aaaagges. They were polite enough not to comment on it :) I thought I would use it as a bit of a springboard to think more about my faith and relationship with God esp during Lent. Is anyone else in the same position?

I have been on this kind of journey for the past year or so. It was strongly influenced by a holiday to Israel which was an experience I would say I 'felt' more than just enjoyed.

I've given up alcohol for lent; all good when we'll soon be TTC. In fact I took my last pill yesterday so we're on our way!

Hi Bam! I haven't given anything up; mainly because am a wimp and besides have got a cold. :) Can you tell me more about Israel, did you have a spiritual moment?

Good luck with the TTC!

Hi Lucy I have given up worry for Lent. It feels good.

Good luck on your journey. Lovely that the church were welcoming.

Israel is quite possibly the most confusing and contradictory place I have ever been to. Tel Aviv is a total party city with alcohol, partying and the heathen of all modernity - McDonalds ! But there are many reasons why it is the most sacred (or second most in the case of Islam) location for three religions.

Jerusalem is a must; it's a marbled city made up of four quarters: Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian. The streets are tightly packed and again a contradictory place - you can buy cheapo slogan tshirts and there are pickpockets about. But you will also visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected; I defy anyone not to have a spiritual moment there.

When I read the bible now, I chime with pride that I have been to the places written about. If you ever get an opportunity to go, please do. I am more than thankful that we chose this destination over another Majorca/Paris/Italy holiday any day.

Rome's in t'Bible
and isn't 'chiming with pride' sinful?

Thanks for the description Bam, sounds wonderful! Can anyone recommend any online daily prayers, readings for Lent?

Hello lucysnowe for online daily prayers you might have a look at sacred space or pray as you go.

Thankyou!!

Err, not sure it's too sinful for feeling passionate about having been to Israel. Been to Rome too - got groped on packed bus - can't say I'm so keen on it...

Nim thanks for recommending the sacred space website, it's great. Just what I need at the moment IYKWIM !!

It's great, isn't it

I am hopeful that Lent will let me explore my faith a bit more after a time in my life when I seem to get so distracted from it.

I love Italian's idea of giving up worry for Lent. You have inspired me to this and it's a challenge but a great one, I am sure worry and distractions is one of the key things that stops me being more prayerful and exploring my relationship with God.

Am going to look into some of the other things on here.

Tonight I plan to go to a Lent meeting thing at the local church. :) Generally I am feeling a bit in the doldrums faith-wise, though. I went to Evensong and felt inspired but then had to come back to a house right in the middle of bedtime chaos with DS screaming and DD yelling down at me to get her toothbrush :)

lucy hope it does well! Glad evensong was inspiring -- I know what you mean about coming back to bedtime chaos though