What Is Lent?

If you're like me and grew up in a relatively non-liturgical denomination, Lent might be a new concept. So let's get to the bottom of what Lent is, what it entails and why it can be an important season in the life of believers.

What Is Lent?

Lent is an important part of the liturgical or church calendar. It starts on Ash Wednesday and lasts for about six weeks. It's traditionally regarded as a time of fasting and prayer, a time to prepare our hearts and minds for Easter and what Jesus' life, death and resurrection mean for our lives. Traditionally, Lent lasts 40 days, a count that does not include Sundays. Many people who fast throughout the Lenten season will therefore fast for 40 days and break the fast on the six Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter.

What happens during Lent?

How you mark the Lenten season can depend on your religious tradition. More liturgical or traditional denominations observe a strict fast. Some people give up meat, chocolate, coffee, dessert, alcohol or other treats. Others choose to fast from things like TV, social media or other forms of entertainment in order to focus more completely on Jesus. The idea is that by sacrificing, we can focus our hearts and minds on Jesus' sacrifice for us. It's important to note that we don't sacrifice or fast during Lent to somehow earn God's favor. Nothing we can do will ever be enough to atone for our own sin, but in Jesus, God has already bestowed Jesus' righteousness on us.

How can observing Lent help to grow our faith?

Easter is the most important day on the Christian calendar, the day we celebrate how Jesus has set us free from sin and shame and made it possible for us to live in relationship with God. However you personally choose to mark the season, it is a time to refocus your heart, mind, soul and strength on Jesus' life, death and resurrection—and how those realities impact your daily life. Seeking to come to a deeper understanding of Jesus' sacrifice, prayer and fasting can all help to lead to a meaningful Easter celebration and a closer walk with Christ.