Observing Lent from Korean Context
March 12, 2025
Lent is a time for deep reflection on faith and life. Drawing from my background in the Korean Presbyterian Church (KiJang), I would like to share how the Korean church observes Lent. Lent is not merely a period of fasting or self-denial but is embraced as a journey toward a closer relationship with God. While the ways in which people walk this journey may vary, one of the most significant practices in my Lenten journey is early morning prayer.
From an early age, observing Lent in the Korean church made early morning prayer an integral part of my faith life. Many Korean churches hold early morning prayer services throughout the year, but during Lent, a special forty-day early morning prayer commitment is often practiced. As Lent begins, many believers gather at church before dawn, dedicating this time to prayer and setting it apart as a sacred moment. Growing up within this faith tradition, I naturally embraced Lent as a special season of prayer and spiritual discipline.
The experience of attending early morning prayer during Lent is not merely a duty but a process of deepening faith. Waking up to the crisp morning air, walking through the quiet streets to a dimly lit church, and joining fellow believers in prayer reveals that faith is not just a habit but a journey to be lived out with both body and spirit. In the stillness of the early hours, I meditate on the suffering of Christ, reflect on my spiritual walk, and humbly approach God in prayer. Through this time, I repent, give thanks, and prepare my heart for Easter. Furthermore, Lenten prayer is not limited to personal spiritual training; when we gather as a community in prayer, we realize even more profoundly that we are walking this faith journey together. Participating in Lentan early morning prayer has helped me recognize the importance of the faith community, teaching me that faith is not a solitary struggle but a journey we share with one another.
For me, Lent is a time to grow closer to God with my fellow believers and to renew my faith through prayer. Therefore, I sincerely hope that all who have come together in the McCormick community out of love for God will walk this journey with strengthened faith and celebrate Easter together. Though we may practice our faith in different ways, may we find comfort and strength in knowing that we are walking the same path and praying together. I pray that this Lenten season will fill us with new grace and serve as a meaningful opportunity to deepen our faith.
MINWOONG KIM
D. Min Student