Emptying of meaning on the day of repentance and prayer

Deutsch

The annual day of repentance and prayer has finally lost its meaning. The chairwoman of the EKD council makes it clear through “brotherly empty words” that even the relatively weak original idea has nothing left.

“Pause and realign”

The annual “Day of Repentance and Prayer” is Protestant in nature and, in addition to the fundamentally dubious motive, has now finally lost its meaning, as Kirsten Fehrs, Chairwoman of the Council of the Evangelical Churches in Germany (EKD), makes clear. It is an occasion for reorientation and change, says Fehrs (Source). At first glance it’s not wrong, but in the end it’s just an empty phrase.

The day of repentance and prayer is an opportunity to reflect and pause, to “look at things from a distance,” said the EKD council chairwoman. A course back to more mindfulness, in a time of crisis-like developments that unsettle people. An opportunity for more hope and more philanthropy, says Fehrs.

Every individual can decide to help shape society and work together in times of increasing helplessness and in uncertain political times. This is important for the family, the job and when dealing with “harassed and refugee people”.

The Thirty Years’ War is an example in which days of penance were originally announced on certain occasions. A call from the entire population to prayer and repentance in the face of emergencies. According to Fehrs, there are also established days of repentance in other religions, such as: the Jewish day of repentance, Yom Kipphur.

Lack of basic knowledge

Yom Kipphur, the 10th day of the first month, today the month of Tishri and in biblical times the month of Nissan, was not a day of repentance in this sense. It is the Day of Atonement. According to the ancient ceremonial laws of Moses, the people of Israel were required to repent throughout the year, each time after committing a sin.

There were grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, guilt offerings, and the corresponding regulations for the procedure (Leviticus, chapters 1 to 6). This was a daily routine. Yom Kipphur, on the other hand, only happened once a year, and that was the day on which all sins accumulated over the past year in the sanctuary of the Tabernacle or Temple (Info) were removed from the Holy of Holies by the High Priest. The symbolization of reconciliation between God and people.

With the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, these sacrificial rituals were abolished. For the whole ceremonial work was merely a reflection of what Jesus Christ himself fulfilled. But Paul also warned long after Jesus’ ascension that repentance is a daily matter, or that the sinful flesh must be overcome by the spiritual. 1. Corinthians 15:31:
“I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.“

Fratelli Tutti philosophy

So the day of repentance and prayer as a one-off event per year was already quite doubtful when it was introduced. With the progressive erosion of the gospel by the once Protestant churches, this day has completely lost its meaning. Fehrs has demonstrated this impressively. Now the day of penance and prayer is filled with the philosophy of brotherhood according to the encyclical “Fratelli Tutti”. Topics about human interaction for the joint family. Real repentance? None. Why? According to the “theology” of the EKD churches, baptism was enough to keep the safe ticket to the kingdom of heaven in your pocket (Info).

Keeping commandments and laws through true faith? This is also not the case, because according to the EKD, the loving and merciful God will forgive all people and no one will perish. Ultimately, sin is no longer the violation of God’s law, but rather the turning away from God’s “sphere of love”. (Info).

The day of repentance and prayer is now as empty as the once Protestant churches themselves (Info).

Bible verses from King James Version (1611)