- Prayers for the Horn of Africa
- For your prayers this coming week (Holy Week)
- For your prayers this coming week (9 April)
- For your prayers this coming week (13 March)
- Fairtrade Fortnight Events 2011
- For your prayers this coming week (27 February)
- For your prayers this coming week (29 January)
- For your prayers this coming week (22 January)
- For your prayers this coming week (15 January)
- Local Campaigners Take Part in the "Big Climate Connection"
Living Lent in a Global Context
"Dear friends,
Lent is a time to let go a little, stand back and spend more time in the desert. There’s a line in a favourite poem of mine by Jared Carter, ‘out over emptiness is where things weigh the least’. Wise words. There is much in our world at the moment that weighs heavy.
As followers of Christ we can feel quite powerless and yet at the same time yearn to play some part, to reach out and make a difference to people living in poverty. What desert time does is first refresh us and renew our hope, and secondly give us an understanding that each of us is uniquely called by God to have a special role in his work of creation and the coming of his kingdom here on earth. . . . ."
Those words form the beginning of Delia Smith's first Lent meditation for CAFOD -- part of a challenge she and the agency are issuing to spend 20 minutes of each day in silence and stillness before God.
A lot of what we at CCOW talk about has to do with action -- more Martha than Mary! And for those who feel called to act, never fear. There are plenty of opportunities to do so this Lent. But we need the stillness, too, to draw closer to God, to listen, to give unhurried praise and thanks, to see more clearly, to be guided.
Our Lent resources page shares some opportunities to engage in both reflection and action. Maybe you'll feel more called towards one type of opportunity than another. Or maybe both. But do take the time to browse, to ponder, and to see where God might be calling.