What are You Giving Up for Lent?

 I didn't grow up in a Christian denomination that observes Lent, so for most of my life all I knew about it was that it had to do with preparing for Easter and giving something up, like TV. So, what is Lent? What does the Bible have to say about it? Should we give something up for a while before Easter?

 As Advent is a season of preparation before Christmas, so Lent is a season intended to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter. Advent is a time of excitement and wonder. Lent, on the other hand, has a more somber, penitent tone to it. It is intended to help us recognize our brokenness as humans and our need for a Savior (1). It began early in the history of Christianity with new believers who were planning to be baptized on Easter Sunday fasting on the Friday and Saturday before (2). Over time, the church began fasting for different periods of time and in different ways leading up to Easter until finally, in the fourth century, a standardized Lenten calendar was established. Since then, the 46 days leading up to Easter Sunday are considered "Lent." "Wait!" you say, "Isn't Lent 40 days long?" Why yes, my insightful friend, it is. However, Lent is a season of fasting and mourning our sin and Sundays were established by the church as celebration days of Jesus' resurrection and you can't fast and mourn when the bridegroom is with us (Mark 2:19). Therefore, the period of Lent actually begins 46 days before Easter but comprises 40 days of observation, with a break on each Sunday.

 The Bible does not mention Lent at all as it was a practice established hundreds of years after the Bible was finished being written. Like many other Christian holidays and observances, it was created by the Church. That doesn't mean that the Bible doesn't have anything to say on the matter, however. There are many examples in the Bible of people embarking on a period of fasting and preparation before something important, like when Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness before beginning His earthly ministry (Matthew 4:1-2, Luke 4:1-2). Moses also spent 40 years as a shepherd in the wilderness and then 40 days on the mountain with God in preparation for his long roll as the leader of Israel (Exodus 34:28). After this, Israel spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33). So, a period of 40s is well established in Biblical history as a time of preparation. There's also lots to be said about the practice of fasting and the importance of acknowledging our sin and our need for a Savior (there's WAY too many references on these to list!). So, while Lent is not officially called for as a practice in the Bible, its principles are certainly biblical. Does that mean that all Christians are mandated to observe the 40 non-Sunday days before Easter as a fast? No, no it doesn't. The fact that it is not specifically called for in the Bible means that it is up to each individual person to prayerfully consider if this is a practice that God is wanting for them.

 You might have heard the term "Fish on Fridays" referring to the historical practice of giving up meat on Fridays during Lent. You may have seen a friend post that they are going off social media for lent or others giving up French fries. So, what does a proper Lenten fast look like and what should you give up for Lent? While fasting traditionally looked like giving up food for a period of time, most people have shifted to a practice of giving up a specific thing since it's not typically practical for people to stop working for six weeks every year as would be required if you were not eating. The point of Lent is to bring our attention to the sin that separates us from God and our need for a Savior. What would help you to focus on that in your life? Is there something, a practice or a vice, that is coming between you and God? Perhaps that is something that should be addressed more long term than just for 40 days, but this might be your catalyst for change, an opportunity to start something new. Along those lines, maybe this isn't a season where you need to give something up, but instead, a season where you need to start something new! Maybe it's a chance to start a new Bible study or join a small group or serve in your community. What would open the door to deepening your relationship with Christ? 

Here's the Thing: Lent isn't a biblical mandate, but its principles are biblically sound, and it could be something God might use in your life to grow and shape you into the person He has intended for you to be. Just because it isn't something you were raised with or used to, doesn't mean you can't try something new. Likewise, just because you've always done it one way doesn't mean that's the right or the only way. Take it to Jesus and ask Him what You should give up for Lent. His answer surprised me and I bet you might have the same experience!

1 - Christianity.com Editorial Staff. (2026, January 8). What is Lent? A Guide to Observing the 2026 Season. Christianity.com. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-lent-meaning-history-tradition-lenten-season.html

2 - Ortega, R. (n.d.). The Origins of Lent. Early Christians. https://www.earlychristians.org/the-origins-of-lent/?utm_source=copilot.com