Lent has become my second favorite Christian Calendar event!

My Favorite is the season of Pentecost.

So why do I even celebrate the Lenten season?

For many years I didn't.

I was raised in the Free Methodist Church, but I don't think I ever had ashes put on my forehead as a kid.

Looking back, I know we made a big deal of Palm Sunday and Easter, but I don't remember anything about celebrating Lent. And especially not Ash Wednesday. I remember some kids came to school with the ashes, but pretty much only the Catholics.

Lent has become more popular now. And many churches impose ashes on Ash Wednesday.

Imposing Ashes reminds us we are from the ashes and will return to ashes when we die.

So, now however, Lent is one of my favorites.

Why?

Because it begins a period of time that people begin to question about God, and ask about this man named Jesus!

It lets me talk about Jesus to people and how He actually is God!

And God draws me into a deeper walk with Him!

So what is Lent, and Ash Wednesday?

If you want a long answer, check it out on Bing or Google.

There are so many posts and articles, you can read for days...

For a short answer, here you go.

Lent is a season of the year when Christians focus on drawing closer to God.

This is usually done by Fasting, a simpler lifestyle, more Prayer, and a focus on Christ-likeness.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is forty days, not counting Sundays, before Easter.

Since Easter is set by the Lunar calendar, the dates always change.

This year Ash Wednesday is March 1, and Easter Sunday is April 16.

Do you want to draw closer to Jesus?

He is calling you to draw closer. Now is a great time to answer that call!

I want a deeper walk with Jesus!

Here are some practical ideas for your Lenten Celebration this year.

1. Go deeper into God's Word.

One great way to do this is with a Bible reading plan.

My preference is the YouVersion Bible App. Maybe find a plan for the forty days of Lent.

Then follow that up with another plan. Lent practices are supposed to be continued!

As you practice this Bible reading, search for God. You will find Him! This Bible is His story!

2. Go deeper in your Prayer Life.

There are so many resources out there to help you in your praying.

I mentioned 30 Days to A More Dynamic Prayer Life, by John Franklin in an earlier post. It is a great book that can help your prayer life!

The main thing though, is to pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to help! Romans 8:26-27.

The main thing about prayer, is to touch God. Become better friends!

3. Pray the Examen nightly.

Again, there is a lot of information about the Examen, and there are some variations.

But here are the main five parts to it. Pray this at night, just before bed.

1. Ask God for understanding. Ask Him to help you in this prayer time.

2. Thank God for your day. Thank Him for everything He put in your path today.

3. Reflect on your day. Look for how you experienced God. Where was He absent? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in this.

4. Ask God to forgive you for any sins, failings, shortcomings of your day. Ask Him to guide you to improve.

5. Resolve to look for God in your day tomorrow, let Him know you need Him tomorrow.

4. Do a Fast.

Fasting in its truest sense is going without food and water for a period of time.

Jesus fasted for forty days before his Earthly Ministry. That is one place the forty days of Lent comes from.

You can do a short fast if you have never fasted before. If you are new to fasting, try a one or two meal fast first. Or maybe a nightfall to nightfall fast. Only do a longer fast if you have fasted before, and if you have prepared for a longer one. Fasting can be dangerous to your health if not done properly.

You can also do a certain food fast. Some people give up chocolate or desserts for Lent. Some give up soft drinks or coffee.

Whatever you do give up, it needs to be important to you. It should be done to show God you are giving up an earthly pleasure so you can grow closer to Him. With that said, when you are fasting, you should be spending that time with God.

5. Reflect daily on your lifestyle.

How can you simplify your life?

What extras can you get rid of that will help you draw closer to Jesus?

Are there things in your life that have become idols? Get rid of them this Lenten season.

6. Quit a bad habit.

The season of Lent is not a time to get healthier physically. Nor is it a time to reflect on your New Year resolutions.

It is a time to get healthier spiritually though.

Bad habits can prevent a close relationship with Jesus, your Savior.

Prayerfully ask God what may be hindering you from that close intimate walk. Then make some changes.

7. Check out this Lenten Fasting Calendar.

This is something the Church of the Nazarene does to help with World Missions. Ginny, my wife, is the Missions president at our local church. We will be using this again this year. But you could use the money for your church's missions program or even a local mission or cause. You can click on this Lenten Fasting Calendar, download and print it.

There are so many other things I could mention.

The point is, Lent is a time to draw closer to God.

While that is true of every day of our life, Lent seems an ideal time to start some good habits that draw you closer to your Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ, God very God.

Additional resources.

Here is a link to eighteen practical ideas. I think it was in 2014 that my daughter, Cara, told me about it and sent me an email. Since then I have used these resources from John Arnold and thepracticaldisciple.com. I also have his book Tips on Prayer.

This download includes several 40 day Bible reading plans, another great Examen prayer, some other prayer tools, and some other practical Lent ideas. I plan on using his Faith P.E.G.S. this year. (Pegs stands for Prayer, Encouragement, Giving, and Study.)

The Bottom Line

Where are you on your Faith Journey?

Are you where you want to be? Or where you think you should be?

Are you too comfortable? Is it time to go deeper?

It is time to go deeper.

It is always time to go deeper!

Pray. Talk and listen to God.

Read His Word and ask Him the tough questions.

GO DEEPER! and Live the Abundant Life!

Why All The Fuss About Lent?

Gerald E Franklin, Sr

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