What is Lent?
Lent is a sacred season in the Christian calendar, observed here at Mt. Bethel Church as well as around the world as a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal.
The Basics of Lent
Lent spans 40 days (excluding Sundays), beginning on Ash Wednesday and culminating on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. This period symbolizes the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and praying in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), preparing for His public ministry and ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
For Christians, Lent is a time to prepare our hearts for Easter through intentional practices like prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and Scripture reading. It’s a journey of drawing closer to God by reflecting on our need for grace, turning from sin, and living more fully into Christ’s resurrection life.
Key Practices During Lent
Lent is not simply about abstaining from pleasures or following a rigid set of rules. Instead, it is about embracing God’s transforming grace as we seek to grow in holiness. It’s a season to remember that salvation is not just a one-time event but a lifelong process of sanctification.
- Self-Examination and Repentance:
During Lent, we examine our hearts, confess our sins, and turn back to God with renewed humility and dependence on His grace. - Fasting as a Means of Grace:
Fasting is not about earning God’s favor but about creating space for God to work in our lives. By fasting from food, distractions, or unhealthy habits, we make room for God to fill us with His presence. - Acts of Mercy and Service:
Lent calls us not only to focus inward but to express God’s love outward through acts of compassion and justice—serving the poor, feeding the hungry, and meeting the needs of those around us. - Prayer and the Word:
Lent is a time to deepen our communion with God through prayer and meditating on Scripture. These practices help us stay connected to the source of our strength and guide us in living as faithful disciples of Christ.
The Goal of Lent
The ultimate goal of Lent is not simply self-improvement or religious obligation. It is to grow in love for God and neighbor as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Lent reminds us of our dependence on God’s grace and invites us to participate in His work of renewing all things.
As you prepare for Lent, consider how God might be calling you to take steps of faith. How can this season become a source of grace in your own spiritual journey?
Subscribe to Daily Lenten Devotionals written by our pastors on the Mt. Bethel Church App! (available for Apple and Android). In your app menu, scroll down to “App Settings,” tap “Notifications,” and make sure “Lent Devotional 2025” is turned on.