Lent is a 40-day season beginning on Ash Wednesday and leading up to Easter Sunday.
The purpose of Lent is to slow down and remember why Easter matters by reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice and spending time drawing closer to him.
There are many meaningful ways to observe Lent, including prayer, fasting, giving to those in need, reading the Bible and even showing gratitude.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. — John 3:16-17, NIV
Jesus gave his life for us, saving us from sin and death. And on Easter each year, we celebrate his incredible sacrifice and ultimate victory. Observing Lent is a way to more meaningfully celebrate, taking time to reflect, repent and renew our hearts in the days leading up to Easter.
What Is Lent?
Lent is a 40-day season beginning on Ash Wednesday and leading up to Easter Sunday. During Lent, those observing slow down to truly remember why Easter matters. This often includes praying, fasting, giving to those in need and other activities.
Throughout Lent, some key dates mark the season and commemorate events that led to Jesus’ crucifixion:
Ash Wednesday: This is the first day of Lent, a somber day of remembrance and repentance. On this day, some Christian denominations wear a cross made from ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of repentance for their sins and humility before God.
Palm Sunday: The first day of Holy Week, Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, a day that commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11). It was during this entry that Jesus publicly declared himself as the Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophesies (Zachariah 9:9).
Holy Thursday: Also known as Maundy Thursday, this day commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus led his disciples through the very first communion (Matthew 26:17-30).
Good Friday: This day is a solemn day that commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Why “Good” Friday? Jesus’ sacrifice saved us all, which is good. While Friday seems like a dark day, we know that Sunday is coming.
Holy Saturday: This day is a reminder of the burial of Jesus. Holy Saturday is often celebrated by recounting what Jesus did on the cross and spending time in quiet prayer in preparation for Easter Sunday.
Easter Sunday: Easter Sunday marks the end of the Lenten season, where Christians gather to joyfully celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and his victory over sin and death.
Why 40 Days?
Lent reflects the time Jesus spent praying and fasting in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry (Matthew 4:1-11). The Bible also includes other true stories that occur in 40-day periods. For example, Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the Ten Commandments, and Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days before David fought him and won.
Forty symbolizes a period of hard trial requiring complete reliance on God to make it through. Lent is a time to practice complete reliance on God through sacrifice, whether that means giving up some of our time or even a meal each day.
Through Lent, we take time to recognize our brokenness, humanity and need for Jesus, helping us better grasp the gift that is Easter.
What to Do for Lent: 8 Meaningful Ideas
Wondering what to do for Lent to make the season meaningful? While traditional practices include prayer, fasting and giving, there are plenty of other things to do for Lent that will bring you closer to Jesus — the most important goal of the season.
1. Pray
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV
Prayer is one of the traditional practices of Lent. Through prayer, we grow closer to God, seek forgiveness and practice gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice. It’s a powerful way to deepen your relationship with Jesus.
During Lent, consider setting aside a specific time each day to pray. Maybe you can spend time in prayer during your commute to work or while cooking dinner. Or pray before going to sleep each night.
Related Read: 10 Ways to Pray to Help You Grow Closer to God
2. Fast
Fasting means giving something up for a time to focus on Jesus. It means emptying ourselves of our comforts and filling ourselves with him instead. The result? A deeper relationship with Jesus as we learn to depend fully on him.
Traditionally, fasting means giving up food, whether that’s every meal or just one a day. This is what Jesus did in the wilderness, where Satan tempted him with bread (Matthew 4:2-4).
As Jesus resisted each temptation, he grew spiritually stronger. This prepared him for public ministry, which would require him to fully rely on his heavenly Father.
Fasting can do the same for us! However, we don’t necessarily have to fast our meals. Instead, we can fast anything that may be a potential distraction keeping us from spending time with God.
You could forego social media and use that time to pray. You could skip your morning coffee-making ritual and read your Bible instead. Not sure what to fast? Take a moment to pray and ask God what he would have you give up so you can be filled with more of him.
3. Give to Those in Need
Another traditional practice of Lent is “almsgiving.” The word “alms” comes from the Greek word eleēmosynē, meaning mercy and compassion. So “almsgiving” literally means giving mercy and compassion to others.
The Bible is clear: Followers of Jesus should give and do so freely. Romans 12:13 (NIV) says, “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” But what does sharing with others look like in our day-to-day lives? Here are a few ways you can share during Lent:
Donate to a cause: There are so many great causes you can support that care for those in need of help. For example, you could donate to supply life-giving clean water. Or you could donate to a cause providing food for those suffering from the global food crisis.
Fulfill a need for a friend: Sometimes, the ones in need are the closest to us. Ask a friend or family member if there’s something they need. Maybe they could use a warm meal or simply a hug.
Volunteer: Ministries and charity organizations always need volunteers to help them reach more people. Check your local library or community center for posted opportunities. Or do a quick online search for “volunteer opportunities near me.” Compassion International also offers volunteer opportunities, inviting you to be part of releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
Sponsor a child living in poverty: Want to make a lasting impact even beyond the Lenten season? Sponsoring a child means giving to a child living in poverty monthly. This consistent support empowers a local church to care for the child’s immediate needs, introduce them to the hope of the gospel and prepare them for a brighter future.
4. Read the Bible
If the most important goal of Lent is to grow closer to God, what better way is there to do that than by reading his Word? The Bible is full of encouragement, instruction and guidance to help us in our Christian walk. In fact, we can’t live without it — Jesus said so.
But he answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” — Matthew 4:4, NIV
Lent is the perfect time to truly dive into the Bible while creating a habit of reading. Try reading a random chapter of your choosing each day. Or follow a reading plan using apps like YouVersion’s Bible app.
If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend reading the Gospel of Matthew, which tells the incredible story of Jesus’ life, ministry, sacrifice and resurrection.
5. Rest in God’s Presence
Life is so busy. We’re always running — to work, to pick up the kids, to visit family and friends, to soccer games, to church activities … the list goes on. But what if during Lent we gave up some of our busyness, instead spending time in God’s presence?
Rest is important for all of us. In fact, even our heavenly Father rested after creating the world (Genesis 2:2-3). And Jesus even took a well-needed nap at the back of the boat when traveling with his disciples (Mark 4:38).
If our Savior prioritized rest, we should too, and Lent is a great time to take a breather. For example, consider spending 10-15 minutes each day resting in God’s presence. This might look like a cat nap or just sitting in silence while remembering what he’s done for you.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30, NIV
6. Spend Time in Worship
Praise and worship are powerful ways to express the gratitude, love and adoration you have for our Savior, Jesus. Praise is actually called a sacrifice throughout the Bible.
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. — Hebrews 13:15, NIV
Why is it a sacrifice? Sometimes, we may not feel like praising Jesus. We may be overcome with anxiety when walking through life’s storms or exhausted after a tough day. But we’re called to worship anyway. And when we do, we sacrifice our desire to focus on ourselves and instead focus on him.
We can remember Jesus’ sacrifice by giving him a sacrifice of praise each day during Lent. For example, listen to worship music as you make dinner or in your quiet time. Sing along, kneel, raise your hands — do whatever it is you do in honest worship.
7. Practice Gratitude
Lent is a time of remembrance — of what Jesus did on the cross, his life-giving resurrection, what he’s saved you from and what he’s blessed you with. And this season is the perfect time to say thank you.
Take a moment each day to thank God for his love and compassion. Thank Jesus for leaving his throne, coming to earth and dying a cruel death on your behalf. Thank him for all he has given you, from your home to your family to your job.
While you’re at it, why not show some gratitude toward those around you? Tell your close friends you love them. Write a quick message to a co-worker saying you appreciate them. Practicing gratitude reminds us of the continual blessings God pours out on us.
8. Show Kindness
God has been so kind to us. When we didn’t deserve it, he made a way for us to leave sin behind and experience eternal life through his Son, Jesus.
A powerful way to remember God’s kindness during Lent is to show kindness to others. And there are endless ways to do so! Send an encouraging text to a friend. Buy someone’s coffee. Put together a treat basket for a neighbor. Give a hug. Simply smile at a stranger.
The Bible calls us to be kind. In fact, Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” As you reflect on God’s kindness toward you during Lent, let it inspire you to follow his example.
We hope these ideas help you celebrate the beautiful season of Lent in a way that deepens your relationship with Jesus. And every day of the year, let us always remember how he freely gave his life to save us all.
