What is Lent? But perhaps more importantly, what isn’t it?
Lent is the 40 day season between Ash Wednesday (Feb 22nd this year) and Easter Sunday.
In the early church, Lent was a time of preparation for new followers that were preparing for baptism on Easter Sunday. As Lent evolved it became something the entire church observed as a symbol of unity with these new followers and a time for every Christian to fast and prepare for the coming Easter celebration.
In short, Lent is a season for all followers to remember our need for a Savior and to draw close to God as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
Lent is most commonly observed with fasting and increased focus and devotion to the things of God. You often hear people ask “What are you giving up for Lent?” and that is certainly one way to observe the season. However, it is not the only way. My wife and I observe Lent by “laying something down and taking something up.” So we not only fast from something, but we add something as well. This year we will be fasting from meat and going vegetarian for the 40 days of Lent and we will be taking up praying for the world. We have a map of the world and a world prayer guide that will lead us through praying for each country during this season. We have greatly enjoyed celebrating Lent in this way.
Some things you can fast from:
Do you have questions about Lent? Feedback about ways that you have observed the season? Leave your comments in the section below and let’s journey through Lent together!
FAQ
You say that Lent is 40 days, but when I counted the days on the calendar it was actually 46 days?
Lent is 40 days, not counting Sundays. Different people celebrate Lent differently, however most people view the Sundays in Lent as “mini-Easters.” They are a day of celebration and remembrance of Christ, therefore we rest from our observance of Lent on that day. This is also why I will only be posting these “A Journey Through Lent” blogs on Sundays once Lent starts, because if people are fasting from technology they will still have a chance to read them. Throughout Lent we focus on our desperate need for a savior, but on Sundays we celebrate the fact that we have one!
Lent Resources
Ash Wednesday – We are not holding an Ash Wednesday service at ChangePoint so I invite you to join me at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 7PM on Ash Wednesday (Feb 22). Trinity is located at the corner of Huffman and Lorraine at 12310 Lorraine Street.
Lent Devotional – Jason Vana with Ignite Student Ministries has put together a really wonderful Lent devotional that is filled with daily readings, scriptures, reflection questions, artwork, poetry, and activities to help you slow down, focus on God and become more like Christ this season. Get the devotional by
clicking HERE
Lent Music – My friend Bobby Giles from Sojourn Community Church in Indiana has put together a great Lent playlist on Spotify that features a lot of great music that will help us focus on the realities and truths of the Lenten season. You can check it out HERE
Adam Legg
Communications Director
Lent is the 40 day season between Ash Wednesday (Feb 22nd this year) and Easter Sunday.
In the early church, Lent was a time of preparation for new followers that were preparing for baptism on Easter Sunday. As Lent evolved it became something the entire church observed as a symbol of unity with these new followers and a time for every Christian to fast and prepare for the coming Easter celebration.
In short, Lent is a season for all followers to remember our need for a Savior and to draw close to God as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
Lent is most commonly observed with fasting and increased focus and devotion to the things of God. You often hear people ask “What are you giving up for Lent?” and that is certainly one way to observe the season. However, it is not the only way. My wife and I observe Lent by “laying something down and taking something up.” So we not only fast from something, but we add something as well. This year we will be fasting from meat and going vegetarian for the 40 days of Lent and we will be taking up praying for the world. We have a map of the world and a world prayer guide that will lead us through praying for each country during this season. We have greatly enjoyed celebrating Lent in this way.
Some things you can fast from:
- Media (TV, Facebook, Twitter, Movies)
- Food
- Eating Out
- Coffee
- Candy
- Certain Types of Food or Meals (Meat, Breakfast, Lunch)
- Bible reading
- Prayer
- Volunteering / Serving
- Family Night
- Rediscover Relationship (write letters, spend time with people)
Do you have questions about Lent? Feedback about ways that you have observed the season? Leave your comments in the section below and let’s journey through Lent together!
FAQ
You say that Lent is 40 days, but when I counted the days on the calendar it was actually 46 days?
Lent is 40 days, not counting Sundays. Different people celebrate Lent differently, however most people view the Sundays in Lent as “mini-Easters.” They are a day of celebration and remembrance of Christ, therefore we rest from our observance of Lent on that day. This is also why I will only be posting these “A Journey Through Lent” blogs on Sundays once Lent starts, because if people are fasting from technology they will still have a chance to read them. Throughout Lent we focus on our desperate need for a savior, but on Sundays we celebrate the fact that we have one!
Lent Resources
Ash Wednesday – We are not holding an Ash Wednesday service at ChangePoint so I invite you to join me at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 7PM on Ash Wednesday (Feb 22). Trinity is located at the corner of Huffman and Lorraine at 12310 Lorraine Street.
Lent Devotional – Jason Vana with Ignite Student Ministries has put together a really wonderful Lent devotional that is filled with daily readings, scriptures, reflection questions, artwork, poetry, and activities to help you slow down, focus on God and become more like Christ this season. Get the devotional by
clicking HERE
Lent Music – My friend Bobby Giles from Sojourn Community Church in Indiana has put together a great Lent playlist on Spotify that features a lot of great music that will help us focus on the realities and truths of the Lenten season. You can check it out HERE
Adam Legg
Communications Director
Adam Legg is the Communications Director at ChangePoint church in Anchorage, Alaska
and a regular blogger at www.AdamLegg.com
and a regular blogger at www.AdamLegg.com
A JOURNEY THROUGH LENT POSTS:
#1 - An Introduction
#2 - What is Lent
#3 - Ash Wednesday
#4 - Freedom
#5 - Frailty
#1 - An Introduction
#2 - What is Lent
#3 - Ash Wednesday
#4 - Freedom
#5 - Frailty
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