2017 Lent: Christians sip water to cope with harsh weather in FCT
NAN-H-60
Fast
By Kate Obande-Okewu
Abuja, April 7, 2017 (NAN) Some Christians resident in Abuja have resorted to observing wet fasting during the 2017 Lenten season due to hot weather being experienced in the territory.
Some of them told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that their decision to observe wet fasting by sipping water while fasting was in a bid to cope with the prevailing harsh weather condition.
NAN recalls that Lent is a season of preparation before Easter; it is a time when many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial and spiritual discipline.
The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ, his suffering and sacrifice, life, death, burial, and resurrection.
Mrs Anne Salihu, a catholic that resides in Garki said that in previous years she religiously observes her lent by doing dry fasting but the weather was not favourable this year.
According to her, any day she decides to fast till 6p.m before its 12noon she is already feeling dizzy due to dehydration caused by the hot weather.
She explained that, for her to keep going she sips water in order not to faint, adding that sipping water does not break the fast depending on your understanding and relationship with God.
“Since this year’s lent started on March 1, I have not successfully done dry fasting because the weather is too hot that I have to sip water from time to time to keep me going.
“Though there are no laid down rules that you must do dry fasting before God will accept your prayer, it all depends on your relationship with God.
“The ultimate fast God wants from us as stated in the book of Isaiah in the bible is to give alms, help the needy and the oppressed,’’ she said.
Similarly, Mr Samuel Aondoma, a civil servant, who described lent as a solemn period for Christians to draw closer to God and live a chaste life requires fasting and abstinence.
He said that the Lenten season this year which would end on Easter Sunday came when the weather was not friendly due to high temperature.
Aondoma said that he had been observing his fast but not dry one, saying ‘if he wants to fast from 6a.m to 6p.m he takes water from time to time.”
He added that some days he decides to fast from 6a.m to 12p.m without taking water by then the weather won’t be too hot and health factors must be considered when fasting.
According to him, fasting was not a do or die affair, it’s meant to mortify your body and make you more spiritual, so if it is not healthy for you, you can do it liberally God knows your heart.
He explained that some people do not necessarily fast from food but from other things that give them pleasure and that was still okay.
Also, Mr Jerry Ogbe said that fasting is a form of penance and spiritual exercise that boost his relationship with God but my health condition does not permit dry fasting.
Rev. Fr Stanley Aroh, Parish Priest St. Rita Catholic Church, Mararaba said that while observing lent Catholics have to fast as their strength can carry them, adding that sipping water during fasting is not a sin.
“In this season of lent, fast as far as your strength can go, because being healthy is very important and there are no strict rules binding fasting.
“For example pregnant women, diabetic patients, breastfeeding mothers and so on must not fast, so that we don’t have cases of people fainting because they are observing lent.
“You can fast from other pleasurable things and focus on prayer depending on your conviction and understanding of the word of God, you are not offending God if you take your health into cognizance while fasting.
“The most important thing to do is to stop committing sin, give alms, help the poor and be very close to your creator in this season and even afterwards as making heaven and serving God is the reason for which we were all created.’’(NAN)
KTE/AFA
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Felix Ajide