By Emmanuella Owusu
Ashaiman, March 16, GNA — Christian leaders and believers have urged the public to view the Lenten season as a period of spiritual discipline and preparation, rather than punishment.
Reverend Kofi Amissah, the Director of Odene Ministry in Tema, said the church was currently in the heart of the Lenten journey, which called on believers to reflect on their relationship with God.
“Lent is a time we set ourselves aside to walk together with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to the cross,” Rev. Amissah said.
He explained that even for Christians who might not be able to fast from food, the period still offered an opportunity to draw closer to God through prayer and the study of the scriptures.
Rev. Amissah further noted that the final week of the Lenten season would include the connectional prayer week, during which the Methodist community would unite in prayer from Monday to Friday for the peace and prosperity of Ghana.
“Let us continue to seek divine guidance and preparation for the younger generation,” he added.
Ms Edith Kwakye, the Founder of the She Helping Her Foundation, explained in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that Lent was fundamentally a period of preparation, designed to foster intentional spiritual growth ahead of the Easter celebrations.
She said the 40-day observance mirrored the period Jesus Christ spent fasting in the wilderness and was built on three core pillars: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Ms Kwakye, the season provided Christians with a structured opportunity to examine their relationship with God, reflect on their life direction through prayer and fasting, and express their faith through acts of kindness, such as donating food and supporting vulnerable people.
She added that the period allowed believers to prepare their hearts spiritually for the celebration of Easter.
Ms Kwakye, however, cautioned that the Lenten season could lose its significance if it became merely a routine religious practice, without a genuine change of heart.
She advised Christians to remain consistency and discipline in their spiritual practices, while being mindful of their physical health.
She however advised against extreme fasting that compromised one’s health.
Mr Enoch Fosu, a member of the Methodist Church, also emphasised that fasting during Lent should extend beyond abstaining from food, to include refraining from negative habits and behaviours.
He said such spiritual discipline would enable believers to deepen their faith and reflect more meaningfully on the journey of Christ.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/ Christabel Addo