Last week I shared about how all Christians, not just those from particular denominations, can benefit from observing Lent.
As I noted last week, I didn’t grow up observing Lent. As I’ve learned about it in the last couple of years, I’ve discovered that it is both easy and difficult to observe. It is easy in that there are a lot of different things we can do to observe it. Common practices range from almsgiving (giving time or money to ministries or charities) to self-denial (giving up particular foods or activities). It is difficult because the whole purpose of Lent is reflection and purification. It is uncomfortable to reflect on my sin. It is difficult for me to give up something I really enjoy (for example, reading fiction or eating chocolate) in order to engage in something that will help me reflect and repent (for example, praying or fasting).
If you want to begin observing Lent, then consider some of these simple ways to get started.
Simple ways to observe Lent
Attend an Ash Wednesday service
Many churches offer Ash Wednesday services. There’s nothing magical about getting ashes placed on your forehead; however, these services can help us meditate on our mortality, our sinfulness, and our need for the Savior. This can jump-start our commitment to daily repentance during Lent (and throughout the whole year). It can also help increase our gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice that conquered death and sin.
Read through one of the Gospels
Taking time to read through one of the Gospels can help us meditate on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Mark is a good option because it is concise and the cross (a central Lenten symbol) plays a prominent role in it.
Read a Lenten devotional
Many authors have written devotional books to help Christians reflect and grow during Lent. You can see if your local library has any available (our library has several) or pick one up at a local bookstore or on Amazon.
Fast from unnecessary purchases and give the money to charity
Many of us spend money each month (or even each day) on unnecessary things. Examples include seeing a movie each month, eating out each week, or getting coffee from a coffee shop each day. We can forgo these purchases and give the money to charity instead.
Volunteer
We can spend at least one weekend or one evening volunteering. We can help at local soup kitchens, visit residents in nursing homes, sort canned goods at food pantries, tutor children in after school programs, etc.
Do 40 days of something
We can choose to engage in the same meaningful activity on each day of Lent. Examples include 40 days of praying for our neighborhoods, 40 days of sending encouragement notes to family members and friends, etc.
Fast from food
When Christians fast from food, the point isn’t simply to forgo food. It is to fix our eyes on the Giver of Food instead of the food itself. Fasting helps increase our hunger for God and makes room for Him in our lives. There are various ways to fast from food during Lent. Catholics, for example, are obligated to fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (though some choose to adhere to additional dietary practices). Those of us who aren’t Catholic aren’t bound by specific guidelines outside of those mentioned in Scripture (for example, in Matthew 6:16-18). We can choose to abstain from eating a particular type of food (such as chocolate or sweets) or we can fast from certain meals or on certain days. In my experience, it is usually easier to abstain from a particular type of food than to fast from meals or for entire days. However, the latter tends to be more effective in terms of catalyzing growth.
Fast from social media
Social media can occupy a lot of our time. It can also have a negative impact on our days (for example, we may feel down after seeing friends complain or make insensitive comments). Stepping away from social media during Lent prevents us from seeing unedifying content and gives us some silent moments that we can use for extra prayer and Bible reading. If you don’t use a lot of social media, you might consider giving up another activity such as watching TV, playing video games, or reading magazines.
Eliminate a bad habit
It’s common for believers to give up vices (such as smoking) during Lent, but I think it is a good idea to give up any habit that keeps us from being everything that God has called us to be. This may be something like smoking or drinking too much alcohol, but it can also be something like gossiping, complaining, or being lazy.
Attend a Stations of the Cross service
The Stations of the Cross is a traditional devotional activity that walks participants through the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion. Attending the Stations of the Cross at a local church can help us meditate on Christ’s sacrificial death for us.
Make a works of mercy tree
We can set up a bare tree and place beside it little booklets or paper scraps on which we’ve written various works of mercy (feeding the hungry, forgiving, visiting those in prison, etc.). As we carry out these works of mercy during Lent, we can add the paper scraps to the tree to decorate it (idea source).
Use a Lenten calendar
There are many Lenten calendars available that can help guide us through Lent. Some are blank (like this kid-friendly one) so we can document our own activities and reflections. Others (including this one and this one) contain Bible verses and/or prayer points for each day of Lent. Some years we even make a paper chain prayer calendar to help guide our prayers during Lent.
Light candles on a Lenten wreath or cross
Advent candles are a very common way to commemorate Advent and prepare for Christmas. We can do something similar during Lent using a Lenten wreath or cross. You can click on the images below to see two examples, one that uses six candles and one that uses seven.
Final thoughts
Personally, I think the important thing to remember is that the ultimate purpose of Lent is to draw closer to God. Yes, we do this through various activities, but the Bible is clear that these activities don’t earn forgiveness for us (Ephesians 2:8). They are simply vehicles that help us reflect, repent, and become more like Jesus.
What are some ways you observe Lent or some ways you’d like to do so in the future? Please share your thoughts with us!
These are awesome ideas! I’m planning to take the kids to a nursing home-even though I love doing this, it is always hard for me to put it on the schedule and get the kids out the door to do it! But I figure we can go at least once during Lent, since it’s a lengthy season. I’m also hoping to participate in 40 Days for Life, a Christian-run campaign that takes place across the country, where people and groups rotate praying at abortion clinics so there is a prayerful presence there for 40 days.
I struggle with getting my kids out the door, too, AnneMarie! I feel like there’s a bit more motivation for me when it’s for a specific activity that is part of a specific observance. It helps me stop putting things off. That’s one of the helpful things about Lent.
Excellent post – Lent is a time for growth. I often give up television and add reading books to help my spiritual growth.
Yes, that’s what I’m discovering, Carol. Your approach sounds good.
Like that idea!
I don’t watch television.., no reason..,can’t sit still long enough! 😅😅
But am giving up coffee and a puzzle that I enjoy doing at the end of the day.
I like your idea of reading.
So many wonderful ideas!
I especially like the idea of The Mercy Tree. I’ll be sharing this idea with my children and see what we might do.
Thank you for sharing this week at our Encouraging Hearts & Home Blog Hop!
I like that idea, too, Linda. The tree would make a great visual reminder.
I like the ideas that you have in your article. This is my first time practicing Lent so the ideas are well needed. I would like to draw closer to God and this is a way that I am discovering how to do that. No, I am not Catholic, or any of the other denominations that have always practiced Lent. I consider myself non-denominational. I would just like to grow a deeper relationship with God.
Hi Tashana,
I think Lent can be beneficial to anyone, regardless of their denomination. I pray it is a time of growth for you this year.