As we are only a few days from Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten season, billions of believers around the globe are beginning to make their plans regarding how they will take part in this sacred time of year.
If you are a new believer, or you attend a church that doesn’t put a lot of emphasis on Lent, you may be wondering how you can take part in this holy celebration. Understanding what Lent is truly about and looking at the historical observances of this sacred time can help you answer those questions.
A Brief History of Lent
It is difficult to determine the earliest celebrations of Lent, as the earliest Christians in the Roman Empire were so scattered. Religious practices, especially those that were not discussed explicitly in Scripture, often varied between local churches. However, it is widely accepted that beginning in the fourth century, various Christian communities started observing longer periods of fasting before the three holiest days of the liturgical calendar (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday).
As time passed between the fifth and the 12th centuries, the methods of observing Lent continued to change. There were some groups who designated certain days of Lent as “black fasting days,” which meant that there would no consumption of food or water on those days. Other days involved giving up food, but continuing to drink water, or giving up certain types of food.
The purpose behind the earliest Lenten celebrations was to avoid personal pleasures during a period of spiritual growth, repentance, and self-evaluation. While the details surrounding these practices have changed over the centuries, the overall concept is still the same.
Today, Lent is still considered an opportunity to deprive ourselves of some personal pleasures and leisure’s in the name of drawing closer to God as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of His Son. It is truly an opportunity for us to put the words of John the Baptist into practice when he declared ”He must become greater, and I must become less” (John 3:30).
Perhaps you’re reading today’s study as a new believer, or you’re a seasoned disciple who simply isn’t familiar with Lent. If you’re looking for ways to observe Lent, even if you attend a church that doesn’t do so, you can discover the answers that you’re looking for here.
Fasting
Joel 2:12-13 (NIV)
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
Fasting has been a part of the Christian journey dating back to the earliest stories in Scripture. This passage from Joel spoke to the importance of fasting during periods of repentance, which was its most common use in those days. However, as we transition into the New Testament, fasting becomes a tool that God’s people used while seeking Him.
For instance, at the onset of Jesus’ public ministry, He went into the wilderness to fast for 40 days. Historically, it has been said that Jesus’ 40 days of fasting were the model that the early Church used for the use of fasting in Lenten celebrations. Throughout the New Testament, the Church relied on fasting when they needed to receive divine direction from God, when they needed Him to perform miracles, or when they wanted to take their spiritual lives to another level.
Fasting continues to be one of the most profound ways to take part in Lent. Many people look at the concept of fasting and become alarmed by the enormity of not eating for 40 days. Yes, the technical definition of fasting means to abstain from food. However, it is highly suggested that you don’t try to emulate Christ’s 40-day food-free fast in your own life.
First of all, while Christ was completely human, He was also completely divine. If you try to go 40 days without taking in any food, you will likely experience any number of health problems. Instead, you should consider giving up certain food during your 40-day Lenten fast.
There are also health-related issues that preclude people from giving up food for a fast. For instance, if you are a diabetic, you may already be on an incredibly strict diet. If that’s the case, consider giving up something else. While fasting’s technical definition involves food, God is more concerned about the heart behind your fast than He is about your regimented rules. If you want to give up something for 40 days, consider staying off social media, giving up television, or depriving yourself of another luxury. As is the case with any type of fast, you should use the time where you would typically indulge in those behaviors to pray and study God’s Word.
Please note, if you decide to give up food, you should discuss your plans with a medical professional.
Studying God’s Word
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
While fasting can help us better prioritize the things of God, it’s important that we allow ourselves to be filled with those same things. While prayer is always a part of fasting, it’s important that you also incorporate the study of God’s Word. Fortunately, Bible study is something that you can do during Lent even if you aren’t able to take part in a fast.
As Lent is the season that leads up to Easter, it’s a great idea to spend these 40 days reading about the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Obviously, the four Gospel accounts ( the first four books of the New Testament) are the four accounts of His life. If you commit to reading one of them every 10 days, you will get four unique looks at the life of Christ. Spend some time during each day of Lent reading about the life of Christ.
Prayer
Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
This prayer which David wrote is a very bold step to take. However, when you’re looking for opportunities and methods to observe Lent, bold is the way to go. After all, Lent is the observance of the boldest display of both love and power that humanity has ever seen.
During Lent, pray difficult prayers. Ask God to thoroughly examine you, ask Him to know your anxious thoughts, and ask Him to reveal any sinful behaviors or thoughts that you’re holding onto. The response to those prayers may make you uncomfortable, but the results are more than worth it.
In the days before His death, burial, and resurrection, Christ forced the disciples to ask themselves some hard questions. He caused them to evaluate their own faithfulness to His cause. In the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday, you can take the same steps. Doing so is a great opportunity to make sure that you’re living the kind of life that God wants you to live.
A Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, as I prepare to observe Easter, help me to truly prepare my heart during the Lenten season. Should I choose to fast, give me the physical and mental strength that I need to get through that period. Reveal Yourself to me through Your Word as I study about the life of Christ. Finally, search me and know me. Show me if there are any sinful behaviors that I’m stifling. In Christ’s name, Amen.