Do saved Christians acknowledge Ash Wednesday?

[PraiseTheLord84]

I grew up in a non-demoninational, born-again househould and we never followed the Ash Wednesday traditions. I've had people ask me recently if I went to church on Ash Wednesday and if I was giving up anything for lent? Since I was never really told about either one growing up, do I start acknowledging Ash Wednesday as important or is that just a Catholic tradition? Thanks. :scratch:

[Kelly]

I'm giving up unneccessary, human-borne trivial rituals for lent! ;)

Listening to people at work who never talk about their faith, or seem to show any sign of the fruits of the spirit in their work relationships, suddenly are going a day without chocolate, or red meat. Gimme a break.

Meh, at least the cafeteria has catfish on fridays now.

[twistedsketch]

I'd say it can be positive, but it's not essential.

[HeyHomie]

It's a practice from which many Christians derive meaning, so I don't fault them for that. But Scripture does not command it, and I never went to any church that taught it, so it was never really on my radar to practice it.

I work at a total Catholic-fest, and someone asked me what I'm giving up for Lent. I told them I'm giving up hope ;) . Actually, I told them I'm giving up smoking crack. This is going to be an easy one for me, since I don't smoke crack anyway! :holy:

[Nadiine]

Well, since I don't know what it is or when it is, I have to say that this Christian doesn't.
I don't personally know any Christians who do either.

Should we? If it holds significant meaning to someone & it isn't false worship or violating scripture anywhere, go for it.

[Cris413]

Ashes or sackcloth and ashes is a symbol of repentance or penance. The Word tells us to be repentant of sin. We really don't have to wait for a certain day of the year for that. For some of us repentance could be daily. I know I rarely go through a day without blowing it in some way. (large or small)

A repentant heart can be as simple as "forgive me Lord for that unkind thought" or involve days of fasting and prayer. Sometimes to the extent of not bathing or doing anything that takes focus off the Lord. Kind of a modern form of sackcloth and ashes.

To me the spiritual value is in sincere, heartfelt repentance - not penance. We should all have a repentant heart but I do not believe we need to perform any acts of penance. Jesus paid the price in full for us on the cross.

Same thing for lent. It's symbolic of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, among others. I see no reason we can't fast and pray during lent but again we don't really need a specific time to fast or pray other than perhaps an opportunity to come together in fellowship for fasting and prayer. My church does this once per month. We call it corporate prayer and fasting. *Not necessarily only for repentance but also for intersession, petition, thanksgiving or all of the above.


Communion is all that I'm aware of that Jesus calls us to do in remembrance of Him.

God bless

[pgp_protector]

Do Saved Christians acknowledge Ash Wednesday ?

Some do, Some Don't

[Quentin]

Our church acknowledges Ash Wednesday and Lent. We're not Catholic, yet a lot of our members give up things like pop, chocalate, etc. just as a sacrifice until Easter. Its a good discipline I think.

[JAS4Yeshua]

Ashes or sackcloth and ashes is a symbol of repentance or penance. The Word tells us to be repentant of sin. We really don't have to wait for a certain day of the year for that. For some of us repentance could be daily. I know I rarely go through a day without blowing it in some way. (large or small)

A repentant heart can be as simple as "forgive me Lord for that unkind thought" or involve days of fasting and prayer. Sometimes to the extent of not bathing or doing anything that takes focus off the Lord. Kind of a modern form of sackcloth and ashes.

To me the spiritual value is in sincere, heartfelt repentance - not penance. We should all have a repentant heart but I do not believe we need to perform any acts of penance. Jesus paid the price in full for us on the cross.

Same thing for lent. It's symbolic of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, among others. I see no reason we can't fast and pray during lent but again we don't really need a specific time to fast or pray other than perhaps an opportunity to come together in fellowship for fasting and prayer. My church does this once per month. We call it corporate prayer and fasting. *Not necessarily only for repentance but also for intersession, petition, thanksgiving or all of the above.


Communion is all that I'm aware of that Jesus calls us to do in remembrance of Him.

God bless
Cris has said about what I would have said, plus some. Definitely nothing wrong with it, as long as it is done to honor God. If it is just a ritual that is done because your religion says to do it, then you might want to evaluate your heart and your relationship with the Lord.

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-- These, O God, You will not despise. Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

[TheCosmicGospel]

Lent was an interesting time growing up. We always gave up television. You can make good or bad out of anything I guess. But I remember we would get books to read. Mine were probably about fishing. But it was the one time you could hear the fish tank bubbler. It is a strange association to make with Lent - hearing the bubbler.

But we did not follow this "tv" tradition with my family. I kind of regret that we didn't. Now families are plugged into puters and video games if not tv. The world speaks to us all the time. For those that want more time with God and shutting out the world for Lent, I say why not.

"You could not wait with me one hour?" Most of us have difficulty of staying on track for minutes. We are so conditioned by the things of the world. Anyone willing to examine the problem with themselves may find the need to give up their favorite fixes, if not altogether, at least for a time. More power to them.

Cheers,
Cosmic