By Staff Reporter
Students and young people have been encouraged to turn away from worldly temptations and focus on prayer, discipline, and hard work as Christians begin the Lenten season marked by Ash Wednesday.
The call was made during morning prayers at St. Peter’s Church of Uganda, where believers gathered for the traditional marking of ashes, symbolizing repentance and spiritual renewal.
Among the worshippers was Mili Grace Achota, a concerned mother currently caring for her mentally ill 20-year-old son at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, who shared an emotional testimony linking her family’s struggles to poor life choices and the lure of worldly pleasures.
Achota recalled that during her youth, she lived recklessly, indulging in alcohol and pleasure-seeking behavior that resulted in an early and unintended pregnancy. However, she said prayer, repentance, and faith helped her rebuild her life, eventually leading to marriage and raising four sons.
She expressed deep regret that her eldest son later followed a similar path, associating with negative peer groups and engaging in betting and gambling in hopes of quick wealth. The choices, she said, led him to drop out of school and ultimately contributed to his mental health challenges.
“He believed betting would make him rich overnight. Instead, it destroyed his future,” Achota said. “Young people must learn to pray, study hard, and avoid the distractions of this world.”
She added that on the morning of Ash Wednesday, her son unexpectedly asked to attend prayers — a moment she described as touching and hopeful — prompting her to accompany him to church for the service.
Students from Bethany Comprehensive Secondary School, who attended the mass, also emphasized the importance of prayer and focus during the season, saying it strengthens them and their parents who struggle to pay school fees.
Peter Esenu, a teacher at the school, urged learners to prioritize education and avoid destructive habits such as gambling, drinking, clubbing, and peer pressure.
“Concentrate on your studies to secure your future. Quick pleasures only delay success,” he advised.
Delivering the sermon, Rev. Boniface Esomu, Vicar of St. Peter’s Church of Uganda, called on Christians to use the Lenten period for repentance, reconciliation, and spiritual growth.
“Let us emulate Christ through forgiveness, prayer, and unity in our families and communities,” he said.
Lent is a solemn period in the Christian calendar observed over 40 days in preparation for Easter, commemorating the time Jesus spent fasting and resisting temptation in the desert.
Church leaders say the season offers an opportunity for believers — especially young people — to reflect on their lives, renew their faith, and make positive choices for a better future.
