What Is Lent All About, and Why Is It Important?

(Adapted from an online article for Cru)

Lent is the 40 days (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday. Lent is often described as a time of preparation and an opportunity to go deeper with God. It’s a time for personal reflection that prepares people’s hearts and minds for Good Friday and Easter.

What Happens During Lent and Why?

The three main things people focus on during Lent are prayer, fasting (abstaining from something to reduce distractions and focus more on God) and giving, or charity.

• Prayer during Lent focuses on the need for God’s forgiveness. It’s also about repenting (turning away from our sins) and receiving God’s mercy and love.

• Fasting, or giving something up, is a very common practice during Lent. The idea is that giving up something that’s a regular part of life, like eating dessert or scrolling social media, can be a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice. That time can also be replaced with more time connecting with God.

• Giving money or doing something good for others is a way to respond to God’s grace, generosity and love. For example, some people spend time volunteering or donate money they would normally use to buy something, like their morning coffee.

It’s important to note that doing these things can never earn Jesus’ sacrifice or a relationship with God. People are flawed and will never be good enough for a perfect God. Only Jesus has the power to rescue humanity.

Jesus sacrificed Himself on Good Friday to bear the punishment for all your wrongdoings and offer you forgiveness. He was raised from the dead on Easter Sunday to give you an opportunity to have a relationship with God for eternity.

Spending time during Lent praying, fasting and giving can make Jesus’ sacrifice on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter even more meaningful to you.