In recent years, many Pentecostals started a new tradition – beginning the new year with a twenty-one day fast. Long before this became a common practice, I was introduced to Lent, the practice of fasting 40 days in solidarity with Jesus’ journey towards the cross.
During the early 1990s, I was pastoring a church in South Georgia. I had been participating in a weekly Bible study with pastors from liturgical traditions. They introduced me to Lent – a period of fasting that begin with Ash Wednesday and extended through Easter weekend. I decided to introduce this to our church. I didn’t tell them that we were going to practice a Catholic tradition. I simply explained that we were going to follow Jesus on his way to the cross. For the next several weeks I preached from gospel texts that shared Jesus’ temptations and sufferings. We engaged in a Monday through Saturday fast each week. This practice was so meaningful that I adopted it as an annual event.
As we prepare to celebrate Lent one more time, I have found myself asking, Is there a place for Lent in Pentecostal spirituality? So much that is essential in the observance of Lent has become alien to Pentecostalism. But that’s precisely why the spirituality of Lent is needed.
Lent is a season of solemnity. The prophet Joel cried out, “Blow the ram’s horn in Jerusalem! Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting” (2:15 NLT). A crisis has a way of turning our attention towards God. In fact, the crisis is often provoked by God’s judgment towards a people who have forgotten him. The coronavirus pandemic, civil unrest, economic uncertainty, and the presence of war have provoked us to solemnity. Our prayers and songs should give voice to the seriousness of the times. Joy gives way to groans and tears. Worship that does not give a place to this is shallow and meaningless. I remember the sounds of Pentecostal lament in our altars. It has become all too rare. Are we quenching the groaning of the Spirit?
Lent is a season repentance. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. In liturgical traditions, believers gather early in the morning for the imposition of ashes which signifies repentance and mortality. A traditional reading for Ash Wednesday is Psalm 51. The Psalmist acknowledges human sinfulness, pleas for divine mercy, and cries out for cleansing. It is a prayer of confession. It requires the careful examination of our lives. It requires us to tell the truth about our hypocrisy. We stand before God naked and ashamed. We are reminded of our weakness. Maybe it’s time for Pentecostals to allow the Holy Spirit to discern our worldliness.
Lent is a season of hunger. I well remember my first Lenten fast – 40 days with no meat. By the end of the first week, I could’ve eaten a roadkill lizard. However, by the end of the fast my primary concern was not the emptiness of my belly, but the emptiness of my soul. I discovered a hunger that a cheeseburger could not satisfy. For the first time I learned the meaning of the words of Jesus, “People do not live by bread alone” (Matthew 4:4 NLT). The true hunger of humanity transcends physical appetites. Humans need nourishment from the Tree of Life, we need to dine on the delicacies of the Lord’s Table – the bread and cup of Christ. We need to be filled with the new wine of the Holy Spirit. Fasting requires us to give up the junk food that poisons our soul that we might be nourished by the presence of God.
Lent is the practice of humility. Early Pentecostals encouraged those seeking to be filled with the Spirit to “empty yourselves before God.” I fear that Pentecostal spirituality has become infected with arrogance and pride. Humility doesn’t look good on a TV screen. Humility doesn’t play well in a culture that promotes narcissism. Humility seems out of place in a spirituality that focuses on power and prosperity. The ancient theologian, Gregory the Great, warned preachers of the ongoing temptation of “fornicating with fame”. In our culture it seems that we can’t be successful without media savvy. We must ask ourselves, How is the media savvy is affecting our soul? Even more to the point, how does our ecclesiastical politics feed the beast?
Lent brings us to the cross. The purpose of Lent is to bring us to the cross of Jesus, and to bring us to our own cross. Jesus said, “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it (Matthew 10:38-39 NLT). Christian spirituality requires the cross – a profound act of self giving love. Self giving love requires us to be vulnerable before our enemies. It requires us to trust God as we face our own mortality. I remember many Pentecostal preachers praying, “Lord hide me behind your cross.” I understand the sentiment. But maybe, we should be praying, “Lord give me the strength to embrace my cross.”
Lent prepares us for the hope of Easter. The Lenten season prepares the soul for new life – living in the power of the resurrection of Jesus and being filled with the power of the Spirit of Pentecost. The mourning of Lent gives way to the joy of Easter. The humiliation of Lent gives way to the tongues of fire at Pentecost. The solemnity of Lent gives way to the celebration of a new heaven and new earth.
Pentecostalism needs Lent.
