Lent probably originated with the pre-Easter baptismal rituals of catechumens, although the number of days set aside for fasting varied according to region. Irenaeus (AD 180) testifies to the variety of durations of pre-Easter fasts in the second century. Tertullian (AD 200) suggests that Catholics fasted two days prior to Easter, but that the Montanists (a heretical sect that Tertullian later joined) fasted longer. However, the number forty, hallowed by the fasts of Moses, Elijah, and especially Jesus, probably influenced the later fixed time of 40 days. The Canons of Nicaea (AD 325) were the first to mention 40 days of fasting.

Many Christians throughout the world observe Lent. Christians generally benefit from this annual time of prayer, sacrifice, and simplicity. In basic terms, Lent is the season before Easter, lasting liturgically from Ash Wednesday until the Holy Thursday. The evening of Holy Thursday begins the The Easter Triduum, which lasts from Holy Thursday to the Evening Prayer of Easter Day.

The purpose of Lent is to be a season of fasting, self-denial, spiritual growth, conversion, and simplicity. Lent, which comes from the Teutonic (Germanic) word for springtime, can be viewed as a spiritual spring cleaning: a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder our corporate and personal relationships with Jesus Christ and our service to him. Thus it is fitting that the season of Lent begins with a symbol of repentance which belongs to community as well as individuals. Repentance is about a yearning in what is true and openness to change. We must also remember that our Lenten disciplines are supposed to ultimately transform our entire person: body, soul, and spirit, and help us become more like Christ.

There are a few basic tasks that traditionally have been associated with Lent. Many of these have a long history. These are fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. In addition, reading the Scriptures and the Church’s Writings can help one grow during Lent. Let’s look at each of these suggestions individually.

Fasting: Fasting during Lent goes beyond denominational, and official requirements. However, when we “give something up” for Lent, especially in the Western context, we are embracing a form of fasting, an excellent spiritual discipline. Eastern and African Christians have a more rigorous fast, abstaining from meat, wine, oil, dairy products, among others. Lent is a call to give up sins (gossip, drunkenness, etc). In this way, Lent represents a spiritual training time to overcome evil. Lent is a call to give up inordinate desires. By giving these up, the person fasting learns to control a particular part of his or her life, which leads to greater self-discipline even when Lent is over. As such in Lent we are able to learn, examine, and get under control our material excesses. Whatever you decide to fast from, remember, as Steven Clark likes to say: “Lent is more than a diet.” Lent is about spiritual results, not material ones. So, while losing a few pounds may be a nice side benefit, all fasting should be done for God’s glory and spiritual growth.

Prayer: Lent is a good time to develop or strengthen a discipline of daily prayer. The Liturgy of the Hours, an ancient practice of praying throughout the day, is a good place to start. A good goal for Lent would be to engage in Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer everyday. If you already do that, perhaps you could add noon or night prayer (also called Compline). Contemplative prayer, based around the idea of silence or listening for God, is also well suited to Lent. There are also many excellent form prayers that reflect the penitential mood of Lent.

Charity:  While Lent is also about giving something up (i.e. fasting), it is also about putting something positive in its place. The best way to remove vice is to cultivate virtue. Lent has been a traditional time of helping the poor and doing acts of charity and mercy. While as Christians this is a year round calling, Lent is a good time to examine ways to get involved and to make resolutions to actually do them. Giving alms can be done in more ways than just giving out money to people on the street. It can be done by helping your family, friends, and neighbors out of tight situations or being more generous to hired help. However, one of the best ways to give alms is to get out of your comfort zone a little bit, maybe by volunteering for a charity or a shelter.

Scripture Reading:  No factor is more influential in shaping a person’s moral life and social behavior than regular reading of the Bible. John Blanchard in his book ‘How to Enjoy Your Bible,’ cited Jerry Bridges statement that, ‘reading gives breath, but study gives us depth.’ When facing temptation in the desert, Jesus relied on Scripture to counter the wiles of the devil. It is a formidable weapon for us as well. Biblical illiteracy among Christians of all types is rampant and, quite honestly, shameful. Lent is an excellent time to remedy this problem. One way to read Scripture is to use the timetable of Reading the Bible in a Year.

2012 Lent Prayer Points.

Day I – Ash Wednesday: Use Psalm 51 to pray for personal and our national repentance

Day 2 – Use 1Jn.1:9 and Col.3:16 to pray for the church and workers.

Day 3 – Use Heb 10:22 and Col.1:10 to pray for our leaders.

Day 4 – Use Col.3:2 and Phil. 3:14 to pray for the church.

Day 5 – Use Isah.1:2 and Joel 3:12 to pray for the nations of the world.

Day 6 – Use Romans 8:21 to pray for the church and nations of the world.

Day 7 – Pray and ask God to send authentic witnesses to all nations of the world – Jer.49:14

Day 8 – Pray and ask God to send His salvation to the ends of the earth –Isah. 49:6

Day 9-Oh Lord make every enemies of the Gospel Your footstool to the ends of the earth – Mk.12:36

Day 10- Oh Lord, fill the earth with the knowledge of Your glory – Hab 2:14

Day 11 – Use Prov.1:23 and Ps.25:21 to pray for those in Government.

Day 12 – Use Col.3:16 and 1:9 to pray for Bible literacy in the church.

Day 13 – Oh Lord bring to light what is hidden over the world economy and spirituality – 1Cor.4:5

Day 14 – Ask God to expose the secret aims of the hearts of IMF and Islamic Bank – 1 Cor.4:5

Day 15 – Pray that all Christian nations will remember where they have fallen and repent –Rev.2:5

Day 16 – Oh Lord arrest and soften the hearts of Al Qaeda & Bokom Haram – Heb.3:13, Ps.107:20

Day 17 – Oh Lord cause the reign of Your Spirit to flood all the ends of the earth–Zech.10:1, Heb.3:2

Day 18 – Oh Lord pull down strongholds in the church, marriages and homes – 2Cor.10:4

Day 19 – Use Heb 12:27 and Prov.2:22 to pray for spiritual shaking in the church.

Day 20 – Use Ps.92:10,14 and 103; 5 to pray for missionaries all over the world.

Day 21 – Use Job 1;10, 1Pet.5:6 and Ps.91;10 to pray for yourself and family.

Day 22 – Ask God to arise for the poor in all the ends of the world – Ps. 12

Day 23 – Use Rev 17;17 to pray for yourself and family.

Day 24 – Use Gen.2:5 to pray against spiritual and physical famine in all the ends of the world.

Day 25 – Use Gen 21;1, 6 to pray for the barren in all the ends of the world.

Day 26 – Use Phil 3:14, Heb.13:9, and Col.1:10 to pray for the London 2012 Olympic.

Day 27 – Use Eph.6;11 and Col. 3:2 to pray for the youth against membership of evil gangs.

Day 28 – Use Zech 14;14 to pray against poverty and other causes of strife, crime and war.

Day 29 – More staggering turn in world events is due to erupt very soon – Use 1Pet.4;7 to pray.

Day 30 – Best minds and world leaders cannot see what is coming – Use Ezek.14:6 to pray

Day 31 – Pray for education in BASIC TRUTH – (about God and man) among world leaders.

Day 32 – Best minds are in total ignorance of God’s plan. Pray with Amos3:7&Phil.2;10 for the world.

Day 33 – Lack of self-discipline points to our state of sinfulness. Pray with Ezek 14;6 for the church.

Day 34 – Use Gal. 3;8 to pray for concern/compassion for the empty bellies of the starving millions.

Day 35 – Pray with Col.3;2 for Christians in the midst of affluent, acquisitive and materialistic society.

Day 36 – Spirituality means facing Christ constantly. Pray with Col.1;9-10 for yourself and the church

Day 37 – Use Phil.1:27 to pray for growth in grace in the midst of our everyday celebrity life/culture

Day 38 – Use Isa. 59:16 to pray for and more Christian intercessors in all the ends of the earth.

Day 39 – Use Heb.12:1 and Eph.5:16; 6:11 to pray for authentic discipleship in the church.

Day 40 – Thank God for Jesus’ resurrection power and lift up your 3 resurrection requests to God.

God bless you – Yours in His mission