Suggestions for Preparing for Easter

My good friend Steve wrote the following article a few years ago for my church (and which caused an unbeivable debacle among some of the brethren. Who knew that the "L" word was such a profanity among some evangelicals!). I publish it here for your edification.

What is Lent?
Lent is the forty day period before Easter extending from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday (the day before Easter Sunday). The word Lent comes from an Old English word for “longer days” or Spring, the time of year during which Lent is observed. The observance is forty days because forty days is a traditional number in the Bible of discipline, devotion, and preparation. We read that Moses stayed on the Mountain of God forty days (Exodus 24:18 and 34:28), the spies were in the land for forty days (Numbers 13:25), Elijah traveled forty days before he reached the cave where he had his vision (1 Kings 19:8), Nineveh was given forty days to repent (Jonah 3:4), and most importantly, prior to undertaking his ministry, Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness praying and fasting (Matthew 4:2).

Why do Christians observe Lent?
There are two main reasons why Christians observe Lent. The first reason concerns the centrality of Easter. Even our secular culture observes Christmas, but Easter, not Christmas, is the High Holy Day (holi-day) in Christianity. It is the pivotal moment in history; therefore, we should prepare, remind, and reorient ourselves to the things of God. The second reason Christians observe Lent is in imitation of Christ. Christ used a forty day period of prayer and fasting to prepare for his ministry, which culminated in his death and resurrection. Thus, it is fitting for Christians to imitate him with a forty day period of prayer and fasting to prepare for the celebration of his ministry's climax: Good Friday (the day of the crucifixion) and Easter Sunday (the day of the resurrection).

How can you observe Lent?
Lent is an intentional time set apart for discipline, prayer, repentance, contemplation, and recommitment. You might use this time to force yourself for a short period to do the things you know you need to do but think you lack the discipline to stick with—things like fasting, praying, giving, or reading. You can set aside a specific time every day to pray and to contemplate the reasons for Easter, the Life of Christ, what it means to be a Christian, or what you need to do as a result of Christ’s sacrifice. The best way to do this is to read scripture then allow your mind to dwell on what you have read. Confess your sins before God. Ask forgiveness. Spend time contemplating why Jesus died and why He rose again. Demonstrate your remorse and regret for your sins. Desire to make this a time of recommitment to living the way Christ intended.