Lent: After Pancakes but Before ChocolateCarla Harding - 2 Mar 2012
Carla Harding has worked for 24-7 Prayer for 10 years, pretty much ever since she stepped into the first Prayer Room at Revelation Church in Chichester where she was a student. It's Carla that connects and resources the hundreds of prayer rooms around the world each month. It is her turn to host the 24-7 Spaces podcast this week so we took the opportunity to ask her a few questions about what the season of Lent means for her.
1. What does lent mean to you?
Lent used to mean the time after pancakes and the time before lots of chocolate but as I started really engaging with the heart of the season I've found it an important tool in my walk with God. Learning the challenge and value of fasting in many different ways has taught me so much about myself and my weaknesses. When I think of lent now, I think about a chance to spend time evaluating, examining and changing my life. From the makeup fast I did in my early twenties when I learned to be happy with how God made me to the caffeine or other food and drink fasts that have made space for prayer and study, each year that I choose to engage with it I discover something new. Holy week and Easter weekend often take on a new focus too, it's like the season of lent brings out the bright colour of life breaking in afresh on that amazing Sunday.
2. What are you giving up/taking up for lent? (or both)
I'm doing a kind of food fast this lent, giving up something particular because I want to make more space for study and prayer. God's and I have been chatting a lot about the power of the Spirit and His gifts and fruit. I'll be continuing that conversation and looking at how I allow the Holy Spirit into my life this lent season.
3. What is your prayer for lent?
Jesus I don't want to miss it! I don't want to miss you, I don't want to miss your kingdom and I don't want to waste a single day I have to live for you!
24-7 Spaces are available everyday through Lent, to watch online or to download, you can subscribe through iTunes or catch them on YouTube channel (or our RSS Feed). We will also be tweeting them each day and sharing them on our Facebook page .
Carla leads on the work and growth of 24-7 Prayer across Great Britain and she is part of the Lectio 365 team, helping people pray the Bible every day. Her life was hijacked by God in 1999 during a two hour stint in the first ever 24-7 Prayer Room. Carla loves prayer and worship, friends and food, a well told story and a challenge to get her teeth into. In her spare time, Carla is an active member of Revelation Family Church, a 24-7 Prayer Community. She lives in Chichester, UK with her husband Steve and their children Jackson and Eloise.
Meet Carla