Lent for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to Embracing the Season
When you think of Lent, you may think of certain denominations following this tradition: Catholics, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Methodists, etc. However, Lent is not centered in one denomination. It is an observance that all mankind can use to draw them closer to Christ.
What is Lent?
Lent is a time for introspection and sacrifice. In observance of the forty days that Jesus Christ fasted in the desert, it usually entails giving up particular foods or activities for forty days. Additionally, it is a time of preparation and atonement.
Christians often use Lent to deepen their faith during this Easter season. Believers may participate in contemplative activities, some go on spiritual retreats, while others may practice fasting during Lent. This entails giving up particular meals or indulgences as a sign of self-control and empathy for Christ's suffering. While these actions are a part of Lent, there are more elements to implmenting Lent.
Implementing the Season of Lent
Lent is primarily intended to be a period of repentance. That is not a sense of guilt but rather an understanding of how sin keeps us from God and the suffering that Christ went through to save us from sin, death, and hell. To maximize the impact of Lent in drawing you to Christ, here are some ways you can implement Lent:
1) Be led by the Spirit
James 4:8 reminds us, “Come near to God, and God will come near to you.” Rather than simply give up something for the sake of giving up something, self-reflect on what is keeping you from drawing near to Christ, what impedes you from seeking first His kingdom, or what keeps you from thinking on things above. In doing so, seek God’s heart on any of those things which you should relinquish that stand between you and God.
2) Self-reflect
The thought of self-reflection can be a little anxiety provoking. The thought of sitting with myself and learning about myself, including my own limitations just seems daunting and….makes those things real. However, this is necessary to prepare our hearts to be fully emersed in Christ. As the Psalmist records, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). Not an easy task, but one that has eternal impact.
3) Repentance
1 John 1:9 conveys, “If we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all wrongs we have done.” Lent allows for a time of discovering and engaging in biblical repentance in a manner that encourages our spiritual well-being. Repentance yields gratitude and humility as well as allows us to repent of our sin. Gratitude and humility help us to keep our eyes on Jesus and to “Be holy in all you do, just as God, the One who calls you, is holy” (1 Peter 1:15). Additionally, repentance reminds us that we are sinners in need of God's forgiveness while we actively seek God's Kingdom by living according to Christ's teachings. Remember that God does not need our love to love us back. Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). We were separated from Him, and He still chose the cross for us. Repentance allows us to embrace that truth along with His everlasting love and grace.
4) Attention to Prayer
Prayer is not uncommon as a believer. Most of us pray at some point in time in a day and sometimes throughout the day. But prayer during the time of Lent is more focused and meditative. For instance, this may be a meditative prayer time where you embrace stillness and silence to truly focus on hearing from God (Psalm 1;2, Psalm 46:10). And this does not have to stop when Lent is over. You can continue to practice this to enhance your prayer life.
5) Meditating on Scripture
Practice of meditating on God’s word allows His word to infiltrate our whole being. It offers us an opportunity to do as Psalm 119:11 proclaims, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Ask God to lead you to passages you can meditate on to draw near to Him. Or use a scripture from your devotional to focus on Christ during this time. Below are some scriptures and question to consider that may help you start this process.
· Matthew 6:33
o What can you change to focus on seeking the kingdom of God first and foremost?
· John 15:7
o How is God’s word abiding in you?
o What changes would you need to make to be sure that it does abide in you?
· Romans 12:12
o In what ways do you need to renew your mind?
o How can you practice this renewal daily?
· 1 Thessalonians 5:16-7
o How can you rejoice, pray without ceasing, and give thanks?
6) Incorporate worship music
Music sometimes speaks words of the soul that our minds cannot. Music can be its own prayer language. As a part of your prayer time, you can incorporate music praying the words of the song as well as just entering a time of worship with and for the Lord. Below are some of my favorite worship songs if you need a place to start (but I can’t list them all or you would be reading for days!); however, your list may look different! Just remember that the main goal is to bring you into the presence of God.
Songs:
How He Loves – David Crowder
Power to Redeem – Lauren Daigle
Famous For – Tauren Wells
It is Well with My Soul – Anthem Lights
My Jesus – Anne Wilson
Power – Christ Tomlin
Praise You Anywhere – Brandon Lake
Sunday’s Comin’ – Zach Wiliams
This season of Lent is a time to draw near to the Savior who gave His life for us and conquered all that could separate us from Him. Take time to embrace this season living lavishly in His everlasting love.