Embracing Lent: A Guide to Spiritual Renewal

updated March 5, 2025

Lent is the season of the Christian church year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. It is preceded by Fat Tuesday, better known as Mardi Gras.

During Lent, some people commit to fasting (refraining) from certain foods or drinks or giving up certain pleasurable activities or habits during the 40 days before Easter.

Some people choose to do something, like performing a service to others, doing a meditative or spiritual activity, or some repetitive action to remind them of the season.

In this article, Scott Hubbard explains how Protestants first rejected, but now embrace Lent and offers resources on observing Lent in a new way.

Join the 40-Day Feast

Consider the days ahead as an opportunity — as one more path you might walk to focus your scattered attention, warm your heart’s affections, and meet the risen Jesus afresh.

Scott Hubbard

Hans Urs von Balthasar, (1905-1988), Swiss Roman Catholic theologian and author

40 Days of Decrease: A Different Kind of Hunger. A Different Kind of Fast.

by Alicia Britt Chole

What if you fasted regret? What if your friends fasted comparison? What if your generation fasted escapism? What if your community fasted spectatorship? Trigger a spiritual revolution with this daily devotional for Lent.

Decrease life’s unnecessary details and increase your relationship with the Lord so you can live in awe of Christ’s resurrection! 

40 Days of Decrease is a guide for those hungering for a fresh Lenten/Easter experience. Dr. Alicia Britt Chole guides you through a study of Jesus’ uncommon and uncomfortable call to abandon the world’s illusions, embrace His kingdom’s realities, and journey cross-ward and beyond.

I have used this devotional from Alicia Britt Chole. Using this affiliate link to the paperback or Kindle versions helps support this blog, thanks for considering.

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Try Dwell for Lent

Many people find using their phones a convenient way to read and meditate on the Bible. And it’s easy to do so with the Dwell Bible App.

With Dwell you can listen to and read the Bible and special devotional offerings for Advent, Lent, and throughout the year.

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Beyond Fasting

If we want to make the most of this annual opportunity (Lent), we’ll do more than just give something up.

We’ll silence ourselves before the Sovereign who became a servant. We’ll fasten our eyes upon him as he teaches and heals and smiles and weeps — the only upright man in a world of cracked and curved impostors

Scott Hubbard