Lent: A Season of Repentance, Renewal, and Preparation
As the bright light of Epiphany fades and winter begins to give way to spring, the Church enters a new season of reflection, repentance, and preparation. Lent is a sacred journey, a time set apart to prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter. It is a season of self-examination and renewal, mirroring Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness. As we approach Holy Week, we are invited to walk the path of Christ, turning away from sin and drawing closer to God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
In a world that constantly urges us to seek more, do more, and consume more, Lent calls us to pause, to strip away distractions, and to reorient our hearts toward what truly matters. It is a season of both sorrow and hope, where we confront our weaknesses and, in doing so, experience the depth of God’s mercy.
But what exactly is Lent, and how can we enter into it with intention?
What Is Lent?
Lent is the 40-day season of preparation leading up to Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending at sundown on Holy Saturday. (If you count the days, you’ll notice there are 46, but Sundays are always considered a "mini-Easter" and are not included in the fast!)
The number 40 is deeply symbolic in Scripture:
Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18).
The Israelites wandered for 40 years in the wilderness (Numbers 14:33-34).
Elijah journeyed 40 days to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).
And most importantly, Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert, resisting temptation and preparing for His public ministry (Matthew 4:1-11).
Lent mirrors this time of testing and transformation, calling us into a spiritual wilderness where we can confront our temptations, renew our faith, and prepare to celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death.
The Three Pillars of Lent
Throughout history, the Church has guided Christians in three key spiritual disciplines during Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These practices, drawn from Scripture, shape our Lenten journey and help us grow closer to God.
1. Prayer: Turning Our Hearts to God
Lent is a time to deepen our prayer lives. Through prayer, we invite God into our struggles, seek His guidance, and open our hearts to transformation. Whether through daily Scripture reading, silent meditation, or communal prayer, Lent is a season to slow down and listen.
Try incorporating a new prayer practice: Morning or evening prayer, praying the Psalms, or using a Lenten devotional.
Attend extra church services: Many traditions offer Stations of the Cross, Lenten Vespers, or additional midweek services.
Pray for others: Intercede for the suffering, the lost, and those in need of hope.
Just as Jesus withdrew to pray, we, too, can use this season to step away from distractions and seek God in deeper ways.
2. Fasting: Making Space for God
Fasting is perhaps the most well-known Lenten discipline. But fasting is not simply about giving something up—it’s about making room for God. By voluntarily abstaining from certain foods, luxuries, or habits, we create space for deeper dependence on Christ.
Many Christians fast from meat on Fridays (or throughout Lent).
Some give up a favorite food or drink, like sweets, coffee, or alcohol.
Others fast from social media, excessive screen time, or other distractions that pull them away from prayer.
The goal is not self-punishment but self-discipline—a way to remind ourselves that our deepest hunger is for God alone.
3. Almsgiving: Love in Action
Lent calls us to love others in tangible ways, remembering that true faith is lived out in service. Almsgiving means giving generously to those in need—not just financially, but with our time, resources, and compassion.
Donate to a charity or local food pantry.
Find ways to serve in your community.
Practice simple, everyday acts of kindness, reflecting Christ’s love.
Fasting and prayer turn our hearts toward God, while almsgiving turns our hearts toward others. Together, these three disciplines prepare us to fully enter into the mystery of Easter.
Lent Is a Journey—Not a Checklist
It’s easy to approach Lent as a list of rules—things we “should” or “shouldn’t” do. But Lent is not about perfection. It is about drawing near to Jesus and allowing Him to transform us.
Some years, we may fast with great devotion. In other years, we may struggle. God meets us wherever we are. The goal is not to “do Lent perfectly” but to open ourselves up to God’s work in our hearts.
A Call to Reflection and Renewal
As Lent begins, the Church places ashes on our foreheads, reminding us:
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
This simple yet powerful ritual reminds us of our mortality, our need for repentance, and the hope we have in Christ. It sets the tone for the season ahead, a time to repent, reflect, and return to God.
Lent leads us through the wilderness so that, when Easter morning arrives, we can truly celebrate the victory of the Resurrection. It is not an easy season, but it is a necessary one—a time of preparation, surrender, and grace.
So this year, what if we embraced Lent as a gift?
What if, instead of dreading the fasts or viewing Lent as a burden, we saw it as an opportunity for deeper transformation?
Let us walk into this season with open hearts, ready to encounter Christ in the quiet, in the stillness, and the surrender. Let us prepare ourselves for the joy that is coming.
How will you observe Lent this year? Let’s journey through this season together.