Praying the News

I am trying a different type of fast this year for Lent. One of the things that keeps me from becoming more like Christ is the attachment I have to my own thoughts and opinions. So, as an experiment, I decided to try to fast from thinking about myself so much. To put my own perspective and mind-set on hold for forty days and embrace the heart and mind of Christ. Since this is hard to just “do”, I have made a commitment to spend time reading the news prayerfully, journeying into the events and situations in our daily world with Jesus’ perspective. I knew when I started that after forty days of praying the news I would notice some major trends. But it hasn’t taken that long at all! The judgments I bring with me to the news often stand in stark contrast to the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus. And I have been reminded many times already that if I am alive to God’s Kingdom all around me, if I stand firm in Christ, I am completely safe in this world – no matter what befalls me.

It’s a little strange to try to fast from thinking about myself and then blog about it, I know. I feel the weirdness. But I also know that it has been a wonderful experience and I wanted to invite you to try it yourself the next time you hear about the violence in Kenya, the US economy, or Britney Spears. Take your immediate reaction and set it aside. Invite Jesus to show you his perspective. See for yourself how connected you are to the world when you look at it with the heart and mind of Christ. I hope it will be the beginning of a lifetime of seeing with new eyes.