The Beginners Guide to Lent and Why It’s Good to Enter the Wilderness
If you’re like me, you’ve heard a lot about Lent over the last few years and have been really wanting to get into it properly to help “prepare” for Easter. The problem is, every year, Lent catches you off guard. Before you know it, someone says they’ve just celebrated Ash Wednesday or asks you what you’re giving up for Lent. Agh! Again!
Here’s a primer on Lent; because it’s coming up and I don’t want that to happen for any of us this year.
What is Lent?
Lent is a significant period in the Christian liturgical calendar, observed by many denominations as a time of reflection, repentance, and preparation for Easter. Traditionally lasting 40 days, Lent commemorates the period Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness, enduring temptation before beginning his public ministry.
The Bible says we should practice Lent?
Well, not specifically. But the practice of a 40-day period of fasting and prayer has deep roots in biblical history. In the Old Testament, Moses spent 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai without eating bread or drinking water before receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). Similarly, the prophet Elijah journeyed for 40 days and nights to Mount Horeb, where he encountered God (1 Kings 19:8). In the New Testament, Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-2). These events highlight periods of preparation and spiritual strengthening, themes central to the observance of Lent.
Lent is believed to have been solidified at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD (yea, that one!). Early Christian practices varied, but by this time, a unified observance emerged, emphasising fasting, prayer, and almsgiving (giving money or food to the poor) as means to prepare for the celebration of Easter.
Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were all Jews, and this practice is reflected in Jewish tradition too. While “Lent” is a Christian observance, it echoes themes found in Jewish traditions. Fasting, repentance, and preparation are integral to several Jewish holy days. Like Easter for Christians, Yom Kippur is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. It’s the Day of Atonement and is marked by fasting and reflection on one’s sins. Additionally, the 40 days of Teshuva leading up to Yom Kippur are a time for personal introspection and repentance. There’s both a strong symmetry and juxtaposition there of Lent and Easter.
Does this tradition still matter today?
John Mark Comer and Dallas Willard certainly think that spending time in the wilderness is just as important today as it was for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. Referencing these 40-day periods of fasting and prayer, Comer says:
“The wilderness is a place that can keep you from losing your soul to Babylon.”
Willard presses in on the value of fasting:
“In fasting, we abstain from our ordinary food to some significant degree and for some significant length of time. Like solitude and silence, it is not done to impress God or merit favor, nor because there is anything wrong with food. Rather, it is done that we may consciously experience the direct sustenance of God to our body and our whole person.”
Like all things, there’s no must here. There’s an invitation to be with Jesus, so you may become like Jesus and ultimately do what He did. Eugene Peterson recognises the value of saying yes to this invitation:
“I need a lifetime of Lenten seasons to learn full obedience to Jesus.”
I want to take part in Lent. What do I do?
Here are a couple of ways you can mark the start of Lent, and then practice Lent throughout the season to prepare for Easter.
Lent starts with Ash Wednesday, which is on 5 March this year (2025). The night before is Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday. In preparation for the fast, it’s traditional to feast—with pancakes. Get together with loved ones, share pancakes, and talk about how you’d like to practice Lent this year. That old chestnut: What are you giving up for Lent? Which brings me to…
Fast throughout Lent. Traditional fasting involves abstaining from meat on Fridays and possibly giving up certain foods (like sweets or coffee) or habits (like social media or TV). Remember the goal is to experience the “the direct sustenance of God to our body and our whole person” instead of relying on Earthly sources of sustenance. Take that into account when deciding what you will fast, and why. While there’s not one right answer for everyone, throughout the tradition, most people (even Jesus!) have agreed that fasting food is beneficial.
Spend time in prayer: Set aside extra time daily for prayer, meditation, or reading Scripture. The Psalms, the Gospel of John, or devotionals like A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson can be helpful. Write down prayers, reflections, or ways you see God working during Lent.
Experience Holy Week: It may be helpful to move through Stations of the Cross during Holy Week, attend a Maundy Thursday gathering (or read John 12-19), and celebrate on Easter Sunday.
Again, there are no “Musts” or even “Shoulds” here, only an invitation into a tradition that spans the length of this great story of God with His people. One that many saints have found transformative; one that even Jesus chose to practice to prepare for his ministry.
A final suggestion: mark key dates in your calendar and attend gatherings (or create moments in your household) that allow you to sit in these moments.
Shrove Tuesday, 4 March: The day before Lent, where traditionally we prepare for Lent.
Ash Wednesday, 5 March: The start of Lent, where traditionally we mark our foreheads with the ashes from the previous year’s Palm Sunday.
Palm Sunday, April 13: Commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and marks the start of Holy Week.
Maundy Thursday, April 17: Remembers the Last Supper.
Good Friday, April 18: A solemn day marking Jesus’ crucifixion.
Easter Sunday, April 20: The highlight of the church calendar, celebrating the resurrection of Christ with joy and gratitude, reflecting on how Lent has deepened your faith.
At least then, hopefully, you won’t be taken by complete surprise and resolve to try again next year.