Traditionally people made pretzels as lent food because they have no treats in them like millk, butter, cheese, eggs, cream or meat. They made pretzels out of water, flour and salt and made them into a shape of crossed arms, to remind themselves that Lent was a time of prayer. In the days when pretzels were invented people crossed their arms over their chest when they prayed. So they called the breads “little arms” which later became the German word ‘pretzel.’
At our service last night we made these pretzels to keep in our home over Lent. These will remind us each day to talk to our God.
And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, ““Abba, Father.”
Abba is an Aramaic term for “father.”
Galatians 4:6 (New Living Translation)
Salt dough enough for 4 Pretzels:
1 cup salt
2 cups flour
1 cup warm water
Mix all ingredients together in a big bowl and kneed until play doh consistency. Roll out, make into pretzel shape on your plate & decorate with texture or seeds as desired.
Drying can take up to three days. You could do it in the oven at a very low temperature (200 degrees) but the ornaments will puff up a little.
Pretzel prayer
Dear God, we ask you to bless these pretzels to our home. Each time we see them may we be reminded that this is the season of Lent, a time of prayer. Help us to remember to come into your arms each day. Help us to remember to put our arms around others. Keep your loving arms around us, O God, to protect us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For great music over Lent find our ‘Lent Listening’ Album on Spotify. This is a compilation of some favourite tracks from our community.
