I recently stumbled across a YouGov poll reporting that just 17% of Christians who identified as ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ religious now observe Lent – down from 28% in 2012. As someone who doesn’t typically practise Lent, it got me thinking about the place and purpose of this ancient tradition today.
Your church background likely influences the way you view Lent. For some Christians it marks a season of reflection, prayer and personal sacrifice, often including fasting. For others, it’s a time to give up a luxury item or two – my mother-in-law, for example, has given up chocolate every year during Lent for decades. And for other Christians, Lent passes by almost unnoticed, marked only by a few pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, which represents something, but we’re not quite sure what. Notably, for most people in the YouGov survey, Lent was about giving up a luxury food item – chocolate, alcohol, fatty foods, takeaways – perhaps a renewed attempt at a New Year’s resolution that they gave up on ‘Quitters’ Day’.
So what is Lent? Does it still have relevance today? And if I’m a Christian, should I make an effort to observe it more intentionally?
Lent is a period of just over six weeks running up to Easter, echoing the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. Early records show that Christians were observing a pre-Easter fast as far back as the second century, and traditionally this period was marked by strict fasting: one meal a day after 3pm, with no meat, fish or dairy.
Historical evidence shows that the Lenten fast was never solely about food restriction, but was intentionally combined with intensified prayer, reflection and acts of charity. But as with many human traditions, over time it risked becoming legalistic. During the Reformation, Martin Luther criticised the practice, calling it “mere mockery” claiming that Lent fasting had become an empty ritual rather than a spiritual discipline.
"Lent fasting had become an empty ritual rather than a spiritual discipline."
As someone who hasn’t traditionally taken part in Lent, I have been struck by the strong link back to the early church and that the pre-Easter fast began as a way to draw closer to God in the lead-up to the cross. It was the prayer, the reflection and the acts of generosity that naturally flowed from fasting that were the aim. Looking at Lent through the Being Human lens, it can be seen as an opportunity to reclaim significance, deepen connection, practise being present and participate in generosity – all facets that can help us understand our identity as human beings.
We are already more than two weeks into Lent, but I’ve found myself encouraged to engage more intentionally – to fast occasionally, to pray more and to make space for spiritual practices I often squeeze out. In a busy world, setting aside a six-week season for deeper focus on faith is always going to be a good thing and increasingly something I need.
"Setting aside a six-week season for deeper focus on faith is always going to be a good thing and increasingly something I need."
So, what about you? Do you practise Lent or are you thinking of giving it a try this year? You could begin by simply giving up something like social media or a food item, replacing it with intentional prayer instead. Or you could try fasting once a week. Many people choose to follow a Lent Bible reading plan. We have just launched our 21-day Being Human devotional on YouVersion, so why not have a read? Whatever you decide, remember that the aim is not the practice in itself but in following it to drawer closer to God.
As St Francis de Sales said, “As long as he who fasts, fasts for God, and he who fasts not, also fasts not for God, devotion is as well satisfied with one as with the other.”
Lent: did you know?
“Lent” comes from the Old English word lencten, meaning spring.
Pretzels originated as a lenten food as they only contain flour, water and salt. Their shape symbolises arms crossed in prayer.
McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish was invented in 1962 to cater for Catholics avoiding ‘meat’* on Fridays, especially during Lent!
*Early Christians abstained from meat, but fish was seen as a common food rather than a luxury and so the tradition of eating fish was passed down.
More from the Being Human team...
Spiritual practices are leading people to Jesus
Helping people explore things like fasting, gratitude and silence is an evangelistic opportunity we often overlook
