- Prayer is a Common Lenten Discipline - Adrian van Leen
Lent is a season of the year when many Christians prepare for Easter, the day they celebrate their belief that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead. A Lenten discipline is a part of preparing for Easter for many Christians.
The following article defines a Lenten discipline and offers suggestions on what to give up or what to add for Lent. It may be useful for those trying to decide what to do for Lent, or for anyone interested in learning why Christians give things up for Lent.
What is a Lenten Discipline
A Lenten discipline, in many branches of Christianity, is a practice a Christian undertakes to be closer to God during Lent. Some Christians practice disciplines specific to their church, such as eating fish on Fridays or attending special worship services.
Traditionally, Christians would fast, limit intake of food and drink, during Lent. Over time, this Lenten fast has been abbreviated to practicing a particular spiritual discipline for God during Lent.
Why Give Up Something for Lent
Many individual Christians choose to practice a private Lenten devotion as a sign of penance, or humility before God. This act of Lenten discipline is something that brings a believer closer to God through self-sacrifice of some kind.
A Christian performing a Lenten discipline such as giving up sweets for Lent does so in the hope that her sacrifice will invite God into her life. According to Christian tradition, the believer must rely on God to fight the temptations associated with giving up the sweets and therefore develop a closer relationship with God.
What to Give Up for Lent
Most people choose to give up something for Lent. The following questions might help an individual trying to decide what to give up for Lent:
- What is a destructive vice or bad habit?
- What could be eliminated for a healthier life?
- What luxury could be avoided?
- What could be omitted without inflicting permanent harm?
Common items people decide to give up for Lent may include sweets, soda, chocolate, impulse shopping, eating out, smoking, drinking, fighting with a spouse, gossiping, or watching excessive television.
Do Something Good For Lent
Though less common, adding something to Lent can be a life-changing practice as well. Doing something good for Lent focuses on what a person can offer to God and others rather than fixating on the self and one’s own actions.
The following questions may be helpful for an individual seeking to do something good for Lent:
- What would improve individual health?
- What might benefit others?
- What may offer an opportunity to strengthen one’s faith?
- What might save money, time, and relationships?
Examples of doing something good during Lent may include taking an aerobics class, attending marriage counseling, choosing a healthier diet, volunteering at the local homeless shelter, or daily Bible reading.
Choosing what to add or give up for Lent is a personal decision. Ultimately, whatever a Christian chooses to do for Lent, whether it’s doing something good or giving something up, works toward the goal of humility before God.
For other support in keeping a Lenten discipline, Prayers for Oblation: How to Offer the Self in Relationships may be of interest.
Melissa Roberts - A trained hospital chaplain, Melissa is a freelance writer, teacher, retreat leader, and spiritual director.
