What Could You Add for Lent?

This Wednesday, February 14th, is not just Valentine’s Day. It’s also the first day of Lent. Much like the season of Advent, Lent is a season of preparation. While Advent is focused on Jesus coming to us, Lent prepares us to reflect on and celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection. Starting on Ash Wednesday, it lasts until Easter. It is 40 days long, not counting Sundays, since these are considered “mini” Easters and celebrations of Jesus’ resurrection.

Lent is most often associated with a season of fasting. So, you’ll hear of people giving up certain things for Lent. But as we look at this coming season, instead of thinking about what you will give up, let me encourage you to think about what you can add to help you grow in or refine some aspect of your Christian walk.

For example, fasting is not something many of us practice. So, adding the discipline of fasting to your regular disciplines could be less about what you are giving up and more about what you are gaining by beginning to fast. Many of you have begun reading plans at the beginning of the year. It just so happens that this is the time of year when we begin to falter in those plans. Maybe this year, you could observe a fast that allows you to refocus your efforts on Bible reading. Also, I don’t talk with many Christians who don’t recognize a need to grow in their prayer life. Prayer goes hand in hand with fasting, so instead of eating a meal, you could spend time in prayer. Instead of finishing the day with a nightly dose of Netflix, you could spend time in prayer and Bible reading. There are a number of things you could add to your life that displace less necessary things. So, let me encourage you to consider it.

As we make our way through the season, I’ll post readings from several resources that I hope will help you grow in your understanding of and desire to fast regularly. We’ll also post weekly prayer focuses to help us pray together even when we aren’t together.