Hunger for Righteousness

About this book

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6 If you're looking to deepen your faith this Lenten season and beyond, this book will inspire you to live out the words of Jesus, hunger for righteousness, and be filled with God's grace.Hunger for Righteousness is an inspiring and insightful journey through the practices of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, offering fresh perspectives on spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and repentance. Based on the powerful words of Jesus in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled," this book invites readers to explore what it truly means to hunger for righteousness in our modern world. Farag Mikhail combines biblical wisdom, historical insights, and personal stories of Christian heroes--both ancient and contemporary--to bring the traditions of Lent alive in a way that is deeply relatable and transformative. Through engaging reflections on key Lenten practices, Mikhail challenges readers to consider how these timeless rituals not only draw us closer to God, but also call us to serve others, mend relationships, and fight injustice. Each chapter is designed to provoke thoughtful action, with reflection questions that help readers apply biblical truths to their own spiritual journeys. Whether you're looking for a way to enhance your personal Lenten practices or seeking a resource for group study, Hunger for Righteousness offers practical guidance for embracing the season of Lent in a deeper, more meaningful way. Discover how Lent was originally a time of preparation--not just for personal transformation but for joining the body of believers through baptism, and how the early Christian practices of Lent emphasize communal growth, repentance, and reconciliation. Through this book, you'll rediscover how Lent is not just an individual spiritual journey, but a time for building new relationships, forgiving others, and embracing the call to live out righteousness in every area of life. Hunger for Righteousness is perfect for those seeking to rededicate themselves to the spiritual disciplines of Lent, offering a rich combination of theological depth, practical advice, and personal reflection. This is more than just a book about Lent--it's a guide to living a life of righteousness, reconciliation, and hope, as you prepare to celebrate the Resurrection with a heart more attuned to God's will. If we pay closer attention to the earliest Christian Lenten traditions, we'll discover how Lent was a period during which individuals who wanted to become Christian prepared themselves not for personal transformation, but to join the body of believers, the communion of saints, through baptism. By examining our liturgical prayers and Scripture readings developed over centuries, we'll discover the ways Lent has always been a time for individual repentance, yes, but first for giving and forgiving, for mending relationships and building new ones, for fighting injustice, and for growing in intimacy with God communally, not just individually. --Introduction, Hunger for Righteousness