What do I give up for Lent?
Lent is an ancient Christian practice that began in the earliest days of the church. Early Christians observed “a season of penitence and fasting” in preparation for Easter. The 40-day fast was especially important for converts to the faith who were preparing for baptism, and for those “guilty of notorious sins” who were being restored to the Christian assembly. In the western church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, minus Sundays which are meant as days of refreshment from the fast.
In Lent, all Christians are invited at Ash Wednesday “to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word” (BCP, p. 265).
Many Christians will choose a special spiritual practice to maintain during Lent, either a fast or an added practice of some kind. You might hear of many people giving up “sweets or chocolate” for Lent as a popular choice, but sometimes folks want something more or different.
So what is the “fast” that you’ll choose? What practice will you add on to grow closer to God and practice self-discipline?
Big questions, I know. That’s why I made up a quick list of ideas for what you can do doing this season, split into three categories: Something for God, Something for You, and Something for Others. Pick just one, pick one from each category, or pick a couple. Whatever you choose, do it to help make this season meaningful. Do it to grow in your faith.
And remember, fasting or practicing faith is hard. And we often fail to do it perfectly with no mistakes or lapses. It happens to everyone. That’s part of the point of Lent. We can do nothing to earn salvation or God’s favor by ourselves, and we can’t be perfect by our own sheer force of will. It is only by God’s loving grace for you that you are made perfect. You might slip up during Lent, and that’s ok. It just goes to show how much you need God’s love, and how much of God’s love is always there waiting for you.
This list is not exhaustive, but should be a good springboard to help you discern what is right for you this season.
Something for God
Set alarms in your phone and pray the Lord’s Prayer three times every day.
Pray the Daily Office - Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer. Set up reminders in the Venite app, the Forward Day by Day app, or listen to the podcast on your way to or from work
Drive to work in silence. No radio, no music.
Start a prayer routine with your children. Maybe say grace before dinner every night (even pizza night) or give them a small blessing when you tuck them in.
Schedule an appointment to say confession with one of the clergy. It’s really not scary, and we don’t make you say Hail Marys for penance.
Take home the parish prayer list and put it on your fridge. Pray for the people on it while you make your morning coffee.
Pick a book in the Bible and read it for Lent. You can’t go wrong with a Gospel, Acts, or the Letter to the Romans.
Do a lenten study, like this free study on the Seven Last Words from Faith@Home.
Sit in silence for 15 minutes.
Listen to a spiritual podcast, like And Also With You, Everything Happens with Kate Bowler, or The Road to Nicea.
Something for You
Many of the next suggestions are “fasts.” What is fasting? Fasting is abstaining from a particular thing for a particular period of time. It is very scriptural, and shows up all over the Old and New Testaments, even in Jesus’ own practices. Fasting is an outward expression of an inward commitment to pursue God, and a way we can exercise our “free will” just like we exercise our muscles. When you fast, you slow down to hear from God. Fasting can take various forms and last different lengths of time, but Christian fasting is always combined with prayer.
But remember, we don’t fast or give up things for Lent that are sinful or bad. Fasting is for temporary absentions from things that are morally good or neutral. If you intend to give up something bad, you’re not looking for a “fast.” What you’re looking for “repentence and amendment of life,” which is maybe less exciting but far more permanent. Please do not take up “Punching Holes in the Wall” again in 40 days.
Fast from something edible or consumable - it’s common to fast from chocolate, sweets, meat, alcohol, or caffeine. Do not try to fast from multiple things at once, especially if fasting is new to you. Give yourself grace, but be self-disciplined and self-controlled. Fasting for 40 days is often not a perfect endeavor, but also not one which we should wilfully disregard if we intend to do it.
PLEASE NOTE: if fasting is dangerous for your physical or mental health DO NOT DO IT. Often fasting can be a trigger for disordered eating. God desires your flourishing, not your diminishment. Sometimes it can be good to fast from things that have no moral baggage, the way that sugar, carbs, meat, or fat often does. (Thanks, Diet Culture…) Pick something morally neutral. A famous Catholic priest, Father James Martin, once fasted from oregano during Lent (except for Sundays). If at any time that fast starts to trigger eating disorder mindset or behaviors, break it. Once again, God does not desire your suffering or your unhealth. Lent is not a diet plan, but fasting can be spiritually beneficial. Proceed with care, and always reach out to the clergy if you need help discerning. And remember that after the fast of Lent, we are supposed to feast for Easter. So plan to really FEAST with abandon and be joyful.
Fast from using single-use plastic - plastic bags, straws, utensils.
Take on a gratitude practice - write a thank you note to someone every day of Lent.
Do a noise fast. Fast from additional noise in your life - tv in the background, music always on, etc.
A complaint fast. Fast from complaining or being negative about things.
Fast from social media. Stop the endless scroll. Choose one app or choose them all.
Take on something which requires self-discipline – working out, reading regularly, keeping tidy, whatever it is. Add a practice that will stretch your will-power.
Fast from spending. It is so easy to hop online and buy whatever pops up with two day shipping. Only buy necessities for the 40 days.
I (Caitlyn) once fasted from wearing makeup for all of Lent. It was really hard, but taught me important things.
Something for Others
Buy extra food when you go grocery shopping for the Harvest Hope wagon or Crayton Backpack. Bring it to church with you every Sunday.
Download the new St. Martin’s app and volunteer for a new ministry.
In addition to your pledge, put extra money in the plate each week to stretch your almsgiving. You can even designate it for outreach ministries like Crayton Backpack or our Refugee ministries. Or set it up as a recurring weekly or monthly gift.
Choose someplace to volunteer regularly during Lent, whether its a river clean up crew, helping at Harvest Hope, or volunteering at one of the local hospitals.
Work out your generosity muscles. Increase your pledge or give 10% more than you normally do for a season. (If your monthly gift is $500, give an extra $12.50 each week for the season).
