Ash Wednesday: The Beginning of Lent

Ash Wednesday occurs 46 days prior to Easter each year and represents the beginning of the Lenten season; a time of prayer and fasting as we focus on repentance from sin, our need for revival and the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lent ends on Maundy Thursday of Holy Week (the week of Easter), the day on which Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper with His disciples in the upper room. Lent means “40” and while the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday is 46 days, Lent itself is 40 days. The reason for this discrepancy is because Sundays are not counted as days of Lent; Sundays are a day on which we always celebrate the resurrection of Christ.

Many Christian denominations celebrate Ash Wednesday by putting the sign of the Cross on the forehead of believers with ash. Ashes are seen as a symbol of repentance many times throughout Scripture (Job 42:6; Matthew 11:21; Numbers 19:9). Whether one chooses to use ashes or not, Ash Wednesday should be a day for reflection and repentance. As we begin the Lenten season be sure you have no un-confessed, un-repented of sin in your life. Pray, admit your sins, turn from them and ask God to help you walk in the freedom He won for you on the Cross; in Christ we are free from the bondage of sin (Romans 8:2).

Many Christians choose to fast during Lent (in conjunction with prayer) as a way of fostering greater intimacy with Christ and His suffering for our sins. Fasting is a way in which we put Christ first and eliminate some of the distractions which compete for our affections. While the word “fast” usually means the absence of food, it can mean abstinence from things other than food as well. Pray and ask God if He would have you abstain from something during Lent so you might better focus on Christ and His Cross. Many people have found their faith strengthened by fasting from food one day a week during Lent while others have felt these benefits by giving up all drinks other than water during this period. Whatever God puts on your heart make sure you accompany your fasting with prayer! Lent is not a fad diet! We fast so we might have greater intimacy with God and prayer is an important part of our relationship with Him.

I hope you will participate in Lent this year and see how God might use it in your life. I believe Lent is a great opportunity to know Christ, His sufferings and His forgiveness better! I will put up a short devotional each day of Lent this year in the hope God will use them to help guide your personal devotions during these next 40 days. May Lent and Easter be a time of revival for all of us this year!