If your only familiarity with Lent is Mardi Gras, you may have a few questions. 

What is Lent? 

How did it start? 

And why practice it? 

Lent commemorates Jesus’s 40-day period of fasting and temptation in the wilderness. Historians point to the practice after the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D, but church fathers like Irenaeus mention a pre-Easter fast as early as the second century. Like Advent precedes Christmas, Lent prepares us for Easter. 

But why you and why now? 

Lent brings added depth to our Easter. It pays to prepare. Time spent together deepens any relationship. When we give God extra time, He can reveal new truths.

About Himself.

About others.

About us.

Because Jesus’s temptations don’t differ much from those we face today, a period of our own fasting can help us stand firm in personal battles unique to us. Here’s how.

Lent Reason #1: Flesh. 

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:1-4 NIV

Nothing exposes the grip our flesh has on our spirit quicker than fasting. Try it. Give up chocolate, caffeine, or carbs and the flesh pitches a fit worthy of a toddler in the terrible twos. 

This should concern us a lot more than it does. 

God wants us to rule our appetites, not the other way around. Fasting helps us practice. I don’t recommend a 40-day food fast like Jesus, but I encourage you to try a Daniel fast (Quick version: no meats, no sweets, no dairy). You won’t go hungry, and you might just kick those sugar cravings. 

Note, too, the word “alone” in the verses above. Turn from whatever you are fasting and devote that time to God instead: prayer, Bible reading, podcasts, or books that help you grow. Fiction and film can also speak to your heart. 

Lent Reason #2: Shortcuts 

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Matthew 4:5-7

We Americans admire those with discipline and fortitude. Special ops like Navy SEALs. Olympic athletes. High achievers. We cheer them on—from the sidelines. 

Not everyone, of course. I’ve rubbed shoulders with many of you at marathons, 5:00 am CrossFit classes, and while traversing the Grand Canyon. Yet most prefer to be comfortable. If there’s a shortcut, we’ll take it. 

Satan offered Jesus a shortcut. He tried to talk Jesus into doing things (ministry, salvation) his own way, not God’s.

But Jesus opted out, and so should we. 

So why take the long road? Because that’s where relationship and character are built. Following Jesus is hard. I like to know where I’m going before I get there. God asks us to simply trust. For the next forty days, join God instead of requesting that He bless you and your agenda. See what He has in store. 

It’s like hiking Pikes Peak or the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim. The only way to see the really cool stuff is to put in the effort. Journal what happens. Stretch your spiritual muscles.

Lent Reason #3: Idolatry 

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew 4:8-11

Satan will offer the moon to get your worship, but only One is worthy. Don’t waste your time on a cheap substitute. Use the period of Lent to concentrate on Jesus. Savor that last week of Jesus’s life or read through the gospels. Laser-focus on Him. Easter means so much more when you soak in its events. Our faith differs from every major world religion and Easter is why.

But how? I’ve created a Lent bundle with Bible readings, journal pages, Daniel fasting tips, and resources, fiction, non-fiction as well as film, to help you and your family grow over the next forty days. The link is below with the monthly links for my Devour the Bible kid pages.

Give the practice of Lent a try this year and include your kids. Perhaps they can fast screen time in favor of Bible stories or a family game night.

Feed on the Bread of Life as you fast. 

Exercise your spiritual muscles as you seek God. 

Worship the only One who is worthy.

And enjoy your best, most meaningful Easter ever.

Questions:

How do you feel about fasting? Ready for a challenge? Nervous? Scared?

What would you be willing to give up?

In place of __________, I will spend time with God by  ________________. 

Links:

Lent Bundle

Devour the Bible and Small Bites (one-page Bible study resources for elementary and preschool kiddos)