40 Days in the Desert: A Lenten Journey

What is Lent? In the Christian liturgical calendar, Lent is a solemn religious observance that begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days, or approximately 6 weeks, ending just before Easter Sunday.   It is a time of preparation for Easter, through prayer, fasting, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sin,  alms-giving, and self-denial.   During Lent, many Christians commit to fasting as well as giving up certain luxuries in order to replicate the sacrifice of Jesus’ 40-day journey in the desert, when he was tempted by Satan.   Many Christians also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional or praying through a Lenten calendar, to draw themselves near to God. Why should I observe Lent? While we are not part of a denomination that traditionally observes the season of Lent, it can be a wonderful spiritual practice to take 40 days to intentionally focus on spiritual disciplines, and meditate on the sacrifices of Chri...