The Great Lent begins on Monday, 19th February in 2007. We should keenly look forward to the Lent- because the purpose of Prayer & Fasting is to defeat the Satan.

We should be vigilant to Satan's manipulations. We should strengthen ourselves to overcome temptations, and defeat Satan through fasting and prayer, as we read "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." Peter 5:8.

Joshua, King David, and St. Paul were all victims of Satan's manipulations. as we read:

"And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him" Zechariah 3:1.

"And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel" 1 Chronicles 21:1.

"Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us." 1 Thess.2:18.

The Bible says that humanity as a whole is also under the threat of Satan's manipulation and temptation, as we read "Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the seal for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time" Revelation 12:12.

We should depend very strongly on Jesus who overcame Satan by his intense Prayer & Fasting. We read "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." St. Mark 9:29.

Therefore, it is advised that nobody should avoid the Great Lent or the given Lents which is a strong weapon against Satan.

Let us now start preparing ourselves, let us all strengthen each other by our lent, prayers and fasting so as the enemy will not get a chance to attack anyone of us. And always pray for weak ones amongst us.

As we read in the 6th chapter of St: Paul's Epistle to Ephesians (vs 11-12), we have to "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

May God Bless you all.

See Also:

See More Lenten Articles and Resources Here.

The Great Lent- An Opportunity for Us to Cleanse Our Mind, Body and Soul
While confessing, repenting and seeking forgiveness, we too should prepare ourselves to forgive others. In that way, let us get rid of all the ill-feelings from our mind and purify it, so that the heavenly peace can enter our hearts and stimulate us, to lead a true Christian life.

True Nature of Fasting
The primary aim of fasting is to make us conscious of our dependence upon God. It is to lead us to a sense of inward brokenness and contrition; to bring to us to the point where we appreciate the full force of Christ's statement, `Without Me you can do nothing.' 

Synopsis for Sermons and Meditations During the Lenten Period
A great tool to help us cleanse ourselves of our hurtfulness. Covers faith, love, forgiveness, repentance, mercy, and more.

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