2021 Lent Intro Reflection - Chrissy Birkey and Becky Vanderzee

There is a heaviness in our world... and in our own community.  Sometimes it feels like there's an irreparable chasm growing within our society and our churches when it comes to politics, the pandemic, and so many other issues.  Many local families are suffering, whether from the financial stressors of a slow economy, the loss of loved ones from COVID, or the exhaustion of working, schooling, and doing life 24/7 from our homes.  It is heavy.  We are weary.

And that is why, more than ever before, we feel called to pray together for the Greater Bellflower community during this Lenten season.  

Lent is a season of preparation, reflection, and reorientation of the heart leading up to Easter.  It is meant to help us focus on the importance of Christ's sacrifice for our sin and brokenness.  

In this season of Lent, we come with open hands and hearts to the foot of the cross; the very place where the Savior died to bring salvation.  We come, not in despair, but in hope.  There is a place for our suffering.  There is a place for our weariness, both personally and as a community.  There is a place where we can meet Jesus in this season of reflection, in this season of preparation. 

After listening to the community, we chose weekly topics that seemed to best represent our community’s most pressing prayer requests.  Each week we will be featuring a community leader’s written reflection to guide us in prayer for those topics, as well as some scripture and optional action items.  As you pray, speak with God from your own place of weariness, crying out for our community.  But also pray knowing that there is hope in this season of waiting and anticipation.  

With Hope,

Chrissy & Becky