Every year we hear people talking about Lent and Easter, so what is Lent? Does the Bible tell us to observe Lent? How do we observe Lent? Are some of the questions we have in our minds. So we will try and answer them today.
Lent is the time span that starts with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday.
As Wednesday’s the beginning of Jesus’ 40-day fasting and temptation in the desert while Easter Sunday marks Jesus’ resurrection from the grave after his crucifixion.
Lent is a period of time for Christians everywhere to reflect, repent, and pray before Easter.
Psalm 145:18 says, “The LORD is near to all them that call on him, to all that call on him in truth.”
Lent is observed by many Christian denominations namely Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and others. It may not be mentioned in the Bible as a “requirement” of Christianity.
But Christians choose to observe it as a way of focusing their thoughts on Jesus Christ during the Easter season.
Jeremiah 29:12 says, “Then shall you call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
Lent is observed in different ways by people and churches but some of the things Christians do to observe Lent include:
Special worship services with a focus on man’s need for repentance may involve the reading of scripture verses talking about prayer for forgiveness of sin and repentance.
Some Christians decide to give up a habit or behavior during Lent in prayerful self-denial. It could be as simple as not eating meat or a complete fast.
John 14:13-14 says, 13 “And whatever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”
Some decide to do acts of kindness during the period of lent and spend more time in the service of God and man during this special time.
Whatever be your chosen way of doing lent it is a personal choice and you must focus on Jesus during the journey to Easter.
There are no compulsions on you to observe it, nor should you feel guilty by not participating in it but Christians around the world do observe Lent each year.
God listens to true prayers and if you truly pray to God, we will often feel His presence. No matter what we do, we will have His guidance.
Matthew 7:7-8 says, 7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: 8 For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.”
Probably if you have never taken part in Lent then this year could be the perfect time to start, you will see a new you when you give time in reading the word of God and praying to Him.
