How to prepare for Lent
What is lent
During the weeks leading up to Easter, Christians prepare for it by taking their spirituality particularly seriously. This period is called Lent. It lasts just over six weeks. https://christianity.org.uk/index.php/a/what-is-lent.php
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means “spring.” In Lent, many of us Christians commit to fasting and praying , as well as “giving up” certain luxuries in order to “replicate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s journey into the desert for 40 days.” Even if you are not a christian you can decided to use this period to give up something. The interesting fact is that most religions have a period of fasting, praying and seeking divine guidance.
Decide if you want to “give up” something. Lent is based on sacrifice, so most of us who believe in lent choose to stop eating a favourite food or pursuing a favourite activity. Whether you give up or start something is completely your choice, so choose wisely.
Questions to ask your self before you give something up for Lent.
- Is this something I like?
- Is this something I enjoy doing/eating?
- Is this something that’s important to me?
- Do I think this will be a challenge throughout Lent?
- Will I appreciate this when I can have/do it again on Easter?
- Am I giving this up because I have to (someone is making me), or because I want to?
How to keep going and don’t give up
- Remember the reasons why you are giving this thing or activity up
- Imagine how better you will feel or look when you come to the end
- Prepare in advance how you are going to celebrate you achieving this.
- Get yourself someone who you know will encourage and support you
- Write down some positive encouraging affirmations that you can read out each day
- Pray each day for strength to carry on till the end
Best wishes and do let me know how you get on.
Confident Queen Genny 