Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

My Islamic Life

Home
Muslim
Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday

Last updated on: February 11, 2016 at 11:10 pm by Kristina ElSayed

Ash Wednesday 2016-02-11T23:10:27-04:00 Kristina ElSayed

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ash Wednesday

from Pinterest

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. The first day of Lent. I’m not Catholic, and I’m not really Protestant either. But for the last 2 years, I’ve observed Lent in a way that works for me.

3 years ago, Magda told me about how her church in New York observes Lent. They pray purposefully. The main gist of it is that you choose 6 people on the periphery of your life that you pray for the whole 40 days. You pray for a Big Ask for yourself and a Big Ask for your community.

This year, the new church in Ann Arbor tweaked the ritual and made it their own, but it is still the essential 6 +1 +1, and I am participating, like I did last year.

Last year I thought I’d write in a journal every day and that would help me to stay focused and establish a routine, but about 15 days into the activity, my journaling tapered off. Instead of beating myself up about it, I accepted that I wasn’t the type of person who journals every day. Even though I pray every day, I just don’t have that focus to sit and write the short page. That’s why I only update this space when the mood strikes me. When I have something to say.

Lent for me last year was a time of spiritual connection and of giving back. I prayed for people I only knew in passing. I have no idea if my prayers did anything for them, but that doesn’t matter. What matters to me is that I gave. I was thankful, I asked and listened and I gave.

This carried over into Ramadan for me as well. Ramadan and Lent are so similar to me that I thought I’d work on observing them the same way. For me, since I’m not Muslim, I don’t fast. This Leap of Faith ritual gives me something spiritual to do in addition to taking care of my family. I felt a deepening spiritual connection, and a renewed spirit. Similar to how we feel on Easter.

This year, Blue Ocean Faith church has added a tactile element to the Lenten Experience in the form of beads. I’m really excited about this addition because I am a tactile person. I learn by doing and my love language is touch. When Magda shared with us the new documents detailing the Leap of Faith for this Lent, she also shared with us a picture of her beads. They remind me of a cross between tasbeeh beads that Muslims use and rosary beads that Catholics use to keep track of their prayers.

Magda's Beads

Magda’s Beads

Tuesday night I went through my jewelry stash, looking for charms and beads that spoke to me. I gathered up the 8 special pieces and the 40 beads that signify the 40 days of Lent. Last night, as I sat at the table with my people while they finished their homework, I strung my beads. They have been with me, within touching distance, ever since. I touch the smooth surfaces and they urge me to take a moment and pray.

Lent beads

my Beads

Right now I have identified 2 of my 6 people. Their names came to me as I was assembling my bead strand last night. I knew my Big Ask before I began. Since I don’t have a church community, I will focus on a Big Ask for my family as a whole. The rest of the names will come to me as I focus on praying.

I might do some journaling so I can write down my Names and Big Ask for future reference. Its good to be able to look back in 6 months to see if there was any movement because of my prayer.

If you observe Lent, may your 40 days be marked with a deep spiritual connection, growth and peace.

Until next time,

Kristina

islam and christianity

Previous Post

January 21, 2016

Muhajabat Party

Next Post

March 15, 2016 Panic Settles in like a Haze

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Beyond Etsy Blog Posts Books Educational Gadgets Hijabs In the House Jewelry On Etsy Personal Ramadan Reader Questions Reader Response Recipes Resources Uncategorized Videos

Select a Month April 2020 January 2020 September 2019 March 2019 December 2018 September 2018 June 2018 May 2018 March 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What city did Paul write his first letter to the Corinthians from?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ephesus Rome Athens Corinth