D o m i n i c R o s a t o

Lent

Taken from a WayForward training in 2025.

On the Christian calendar, today marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and reflection observed by Christians leading up toEaster Sunday. It commemorates the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before he began his ministry and is a time of spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday(the day before Easter), and does not count Sundays. 

Lent is traditionally observed by all there major branches of Christianity: Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestants. Not all Protestants celebrate it in the same way but it is a Church tradition worth participating in. If you are interested in joining this global Church calendar, here are three simple and biblical ways you can celebrate:

  1. Fasting & Abstinence – Start small if this is your first time. A few ways is to take 24 hours to not eat or choosing to give up certain foods (like sweets, meat, or caffeine) as a form of self-discipline and devotion to Jesus. Fasting should not merely be taking away something but adding something spiritual (like a spiritual practice) in the place of food.
  2. Prayer & Reflection – Another simple way to practice Lent is a deeper Bible study, prayer, or repentance time. Some believers add these types of daily devotionals to their quiet time rhythm and you can easily find a Lenten Bible study online as well. 
  3. Meditation on Christ’s Sacrifice – Lent is seen as a time to reflect on Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection, culminating in special observances during Holy Week (ie. Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday). There is bound to be one of these services hosted at your church or a local church in your area. 

Whether you choose to participate in Lent formally, we can all slow down this season and imitate Jesus Christ’s fasting in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. At the end of the day, that is the entire purpose of Lent. To be like Jesus, become like him, and do as he did.