Slowing and Connecting with God during Lent
The death and resurrection of Jesus is the big storyline of the Bible. It’s no surprise, then, that a majority of Christians celebrate it every year on Easter Sunday. But did you know some people start getting ready for Easter 40 days before it happens?
The six weeks leading up to Easter are known as Lent. Lent is believed to have started in the fourth century AD, when people who wanted to be baptized on Easter spent 40 days fasting and praying to prepare for their commitment.
Today, people who choose to practice Lent do so by giving up a kind of food, an activity or a bad habit. Other ways to observe Lent are attending special church services, committing to pray more or giving to others. Lent is often associated as just a Roman Catholic tradition, but many Protestants practice Lent as well.
Why 40 Days?
In the Bible, Moses (Exodus 34:28), Elijah (1 Kings 19:8-9) and Jesus (Matthew 4:1-2) all went through intense fasting experiences for 40 days and 40 nights. By the time those experiences ended, they were ready for the next challenge they had to face. Adopting that pattern made sense to early Christians.
Is Lent Required to Be a Good Christian?
The short answer is no. Serving God isn’t about keeping religious customs, it’s about having a personal relationship with Him. If you’ve trusted Christ as your Savior, you can’t get “more saved” by practicing church traditions. But will your relationship with God deepen if you set aside time to reflect and focus on Him? Can a season of fasting help you prepare for the next step on your journey with God? The short answer is yes!
Lent is a time to make more room for God in your life through some intentional practices. Here are some resources to help you:
Lent Devotional - From Ashes to Resurrection (free PDF download of a 40 day devotional)
Lent - Why would I give up something for Lent? How is this kind of religious tradition helpful for me?
What is Fasting and How and Why to do it
Tips on how to fast from technology
The Spiritual Effects of Distraction
Learn to recognize God’s voice