Lent is a Christian spiritual occasion that occurs every year. It is a period of fasting for 40 days, starting in late February on Ash Wednesday and ending near Easter.
The day before Lent begins, Shrove Tuesday, Christians traditionally consider what sins they needed to repent of and what changes to their life or spiritual growth they will focus on during the fast.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. The day is named after the burning of the Palm branches from Palm Sunday. Some churches will rub the ashes on people's foreheads to commemorate the start of the fast and remind them of our need to be spiritually close to God.
Is Lent different to other spiritual fasts?
Yes, Lent is different to other spiritual fasts a person might do. While the premise of both are the same, Lent is specifically a time to reflect on the end of the life of Jesus, and the sacrifice he made. Without His sacrifice, no Christian would have the joyful, peaceful and love-filled life we have today. We celebrate His sacrifice and how it helped us, and pray for all those who do not know Him personally yet.
Should I do Lent?
If you are wondering who should do Lent, the answer is no one. No one should do Lent. Jesus came to do away with the legalistic religion we used to follow. If you're asking who can do Lent, the answer is everyone. You don't have to be a Christian to do Lent. If you feel nudged or encouraged to fast something during this period, then lean into that as a sign your body and mind is craving a deeper spiritual connection. Follow the steps here on how to do a successful fast. You do not have to fast food. Many give up on technology or other things that have become addictive or distracting in their life.
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