What is Lent and How Should Christians Observe It?
“‘Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.’ Return to the Lord your God for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” (Joel 2:12-13)
In this season, Christians around the world are celebrating Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Lent takes place over the forty days before Easter (not counting Sundays), and is traditionally a time of repentance and preparation for the celebration of Easter.
The goal of the Lenten season is to draw closer to God. There are many traditions surrounding this season, but whatever you do, it’s great to start by reflecting on your life, and the parts of your life where you feel disconnected from God and his people.
Giving Something Up …
For example, you may have heard about people giving something up for Lent—often things that bring pleasure, like sweets, alcohol, or screen time. When I was in college, I tried to give up sugar for Lent. It didn’t last long (I have an epic sweet tooth), and one of the reasons I did it is that I was hoping to lose a little weight. It didn’t have much to do with my relationship to Jesus!
If you plan to give up something, I encourage you to take a different approach. If you are giving something up, do it as an intentional act of worship and sacrifice to God. This year, I am going to try to put away my phone when I get up in the morning, and take that time for intentional prayer.
Or Adding Something In …
Giving something up is just one way to observe Lent. Maybe, like me, you hope to add something into your life—a time of prayer, or Bible reading. Some believers take these forty days to read through one or more of the gospels, chapter by chapter.
Another way of observing Lent is through giving—time, money, or talents. Again, your goal should be to see this an act of worship and sacrifice, not just as a good thing to do. Just as Jesus gave his life for us, by giving of ourselves to others we imitate Jesus.
Taking time for worship is always important, but if you are hoping to reconnect with God during this season, it’s crucial. God calls us to participate in the life of faith with other people. If you aren’t part of a church community, try visiting a church for worship time during this season. If you are unable to go to church, consider other ways to worship God and connect with other believers—by worshipping online, listening to music, and by meeting with friends or loved ones.
Spend Time with God
At Words of Hope, we know that one of the most important things you can do in any season is spend time intentionally and every day with God, through prayer and Bible reading. We have many resources to help you focus on Jesus’s life, death and sacrifice during this season. The easiest way is to sign up for our daily Lent email devotional reading plan. Click here for a full list of Words of Hope’s Lent and Easter devotional reading plans, and other resources.
As you observe this season, we pray that Lent will be a time of growth in your relationship to Christ.
About the Author
Christy Prins
Christy Prins is the managing editor of the Words of Hope Daily Devotional. When Christy isn't reading devotional submissions, she's busy working in the garden, reading, and hanging out with her kids.
