Pancakes and Prayers
Something to think about:
By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
-Psalm 42:8
Next week, we will be eating pancakes. Then we get ready to travel through forty days to Easter.
People used to take the time to use up the butter, leaven, and all kinds of baking stuff in their homes before the days of Lent. In a nutshell, the practice was a symbol of getting rid of something excessive in order to spend time more time being aware of God. The practice has taken a lot of turns and interpretations, but many still celebrate Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday) before the thoughtful quiet of Lent. This year, Lent starts on March 5, the forty days before Easter (not including Sundays).
Growing up, the question around our house was “What are you giving up for Lent?” Often it was chocolate (was I crazy?) or some other treat. Forty days to think about things differently–but often, I would get caught up in what I was giving up and miss the whole point. Lent is not about what WE do.
Lent isn’t a time to celebrate us and what we give up, but it’s all about what God gave up for us. Christ gave his life-and the journey of Lent is preparing us to be new people in light of the crucifixion and resurrection, to live life without fear and to live in hope, courageous love and unlimited grace.
The question of Lent is really, “How am I getting better prepared for this journey with the risen Christ? And what needs to be put aside in my life for me to do that?” Maybe it’s not something we give up, but something we pick up such as a time of daily prayer, a walk where we open our eyes and ears to what God is showing us in our neighbourhood, a quiet place to read one psalm each day. Time to let the quieter, stronger life of the Spirit flow in amid all the noise that’s around us. Time to say no to the things that are telling us that we’re not good enough, not rich enough, not going to make it if we don’t do it ourselves.
Jesus came to do away with all of that.
During Lent, from March 12 – April 14, we’re having a number of different worship opportunities that will give you a chance to join with our community of fellow travellers as we look to share and live Jesus’ love. On Monday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm, we’ll meet for quiet worship, some songs, a story and a chance to chat. On Wednesdays at 12:30pm, we’ll gather for worship, songs, a story and soup. Please know you are welcome, and we’d love to have you join us at the church. There are more details on the home page.
Here is a daily prayer we can use together through Lent:
Lord, you have given up so much for me. In You I have life forever.
Let me put aside everything that’s keeping me from the direction you have in mind for me.
Let me choose You, knowing that your love and grace are more than enough.
Let me choose You, knowing that You died and rose for me before I ever knew that I needed that.
So let us go on into this day with all of its happy, sad, dancing, walking, resting, eating, working, playing, caring, loving, questioning moments–and let us live together.
Thank You. Amen.
Peace in Christ,
Rev Susan
Content © Susan Kerr 2025. May not be reproduced or circulated without permission of the author.