Lent is a time to break the spirit of barrenness, especially in such a time when the barrenness in the church is more serious than the barrenness in the world. Barrenness is not only an emotional state or a condition that only childless women encounter.


Two Greek words, ‘steiras’ (Luke 1:7, 36; 23:29; Gal 4:27) and ‘argos’ (2 Pet 1:8), offer a reflection on how we all experience varying degrees of barrenness along our faith journey. According to George Lorimer, ‘There is nothing more pitiable than a soulless, sapless, shrivelled church, seeking to thrive in a worldly atmosphere, rooted in barren professions, bearing no fruit, and maintaining only the semblance of existence; such a church cannot long survive.’

Barrenness means to be unfruitful, sterile, childless, heirless. Signs of barrenness include a lack of new converts, the absence of healing and miracles, a lack of growth in the visions and dreams given by the Holy Spirit, and a lack of growth in the number of people baptised. Like Sarah, many individuals and churches are fighting the barrenness of old age (Gen 11:30) and the barrenness of young age, like Hannah (1 Sam 1:1-18).

Barrenness speaks of people and churches who are unyielding and disobedient to the voice and Word of God. An unhealthy view of God’s Word points to the barrenness in the church, because the physical and spiritual health of the church are intrinsically linked, as our spiritual condition will be revealed in the physical world.

A reflection on Sarah and Hannah as an interesting pair of stories has something to say to you and me, and the church. Barrenness as the deepest social stigma to an Eastern wife like Sarah, also speaks of spiritual stigma to the church as a community of fig trees.

Many churches today are fighting the barrenness of old age, and rather than listening and honouring the Word of God, like Sarah, we look for a new interpretation, Hagar’s version and a fresh expression to suit our secular agenda. The problem of Hagar’s version haunts the world to date.

Overcoming our barrenness is not just about another method but a new and humble mindset. Lent calls us to diagnose and beware of the barrenness of busy life. To overcome our barrenness, we need to listen to the voice of God; We need to believe what God says, and we need to do exactly what God tells us to do. Let us pray and ask God for blessedness for our barrenness.

Happy new month of marching in the power of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.