First Sunday in Lent
February 21st, 2010
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by admin · Filed Under: Faith · Guidance · Lent · Prayer · Spiritual Health
THE ALTAR
1st Sunday. Read Matthew 5:21-26.
The altar represents a fixed, definite center in the consciousness of man. It is a place within where we meet the Lord face to face and are willing to give up our sins, give up the lower for the higher, the personal for the impersonal, the animal for the divine.
The altar, mentioned in Revelation 11:1 symbolizes the consciousness of full consecration that takes place in the temple of worship, the body. “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.”
The altar to the unknown God is a yearning to know the unrevealed Spirit, and a reaching out of the mind for a fuller realization of its source.
Prayer does not change God–it changes us. Sincere desire is a form of prayer. Deep desire is essential for spiritual growth. It is desire–earnest, intense desire–that draws the whole being up out of mortality and its transient joys into the power to appreciate and receive real spiritual blessings. This is a demonstration, the proving of a Truth principle in one’s body and affairs. It is the manifestation of an ideal when its accomplishment has been brought about by one’s conformity in thought, word, and act, to the creative principle of God.
Kneeling at the altar I take my statement of Truth and hold it steadily in mind until I get my realization, the logic of my mind is satisfied, and there is the lifting up and expanding of soul consciousness.
To this end I affirm: “It is not I, but the Father abiding in me doeth his works.’”
Questions:
1. What does going to the altar signify?
2. What is the altar to the unknown God?
3. What happens when we pray?
4. What part does desire play in our spiritual growth?
Let me remember always that prayer does not change God–prayer changes me. Prayer brings me closer to God, doser to the light, closer to Truth.
Remember, God is Blessing You, Right Now!
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Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-eight years, invites you to subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions.
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Article Series - Lent
- Keep a True Lent
- Lent - Day 1 (Ash Wednesday)
- Lent - Day 2
- Lent - Day 3
- Lent - Day 4
- First Sunday in Lent
- Lent - Day 5
- Lent - Day 6
- Lent - Day 7
- Lent - Day 8
- Lent - Day 9
- Lent - Day 10
- Second Sunday in Lent
- Lent - Day 11
- Lent - Day 12
- Lent - Day 13
- Lent - Day 14
- Lent - Day 15
- Lent - Day 16
- Third Sunday in Lent
- Lent - Day 17
- Lent - Day 18
- Lent - Day 19
- Lent - Day 20
- Lent - Day 21
- Lent - Day 22
- Fourth Sunday in Lent
- Lent - Day 23
- Lent - Day 24
- Lent - Day 25
- Lent - Day 26
- Lent - Day 27
- Lent - Day 28
- Fifth (Passion) Sunday in Lent
- Lent - Day 29
- Lent - Day 30
- Lent - Day 31
- Lent - Day 32
- Lent - Day 33
- Lent - Day 34
- Palm Sunday
- Lent - Day 35
- Lent - Day 36
- Lent - Day 37
- Lent - Day 38
- Lent - Day 39 (Good Friday)
- Lent - Day 40
- Easter Sunday














This first Lenten Sunday lesson is appreciated and helps to me to experience God’s presence in my life and affairs.