What is your intention for Lent this year?

Today is Ash Wednesday, the day that Christians and Catholics all around the world are marked with ashes. It’s the first day of Lent, the period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that leads up to Easter. It’s 40 days like the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert being tempted by Satan. What are you doing for Lent this year?

This question rolls through my mind in the weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday. Do I give something up this year or add something in? Do I do both? I have done various combinations over the years. The intention is always to bring me closer in my relationship with God. So let’s talk about the three things we are supposed to do and see if that helps you (and me) narrow it down.

Prayer. You probably think you have this one down. You may go to church regulary, read your Bible, and think you spend plenty of time in prayer. If all of that is true, what could you do differently during Lent? Is there a spiritual book (or book of the Bible) that you have been meaning to read? Could you spend a few minutes in prayer at a different time of day than usual? If you have a commute, what about praying on one of trips you make per day, or even while walking your dog.

Fasting. Catholics fast from meat on Fridays during Lent, there are fish frys at every church. You can fast from anything you like- some people like to give up social media, television, certain foods or behaviors. It should not be something easy like “I’m giving up soda” when you never drink soda. If you were drinking 2-3 sodas a day, then yes, I can see that as a sacrifice.

Some years instead of fasting from something, I give up some time to do something new. Try a new exercise regimen or commit to adding something new to my diet that’s beneficial but maybe I don’t like so much. Committing to intentionally keeping in touch with friends and family could be a great idea if you are not frequently in contact.

Almsgiving. I’m sure that you immediately think about money and it can certainly be about that. Here is an example- you could forgo one coffee (or meal) out a week and donate the money you would have spent to a charity. You could also just give money. You could also give time. All charities need volunteers all year round, not just at the holidays. What if you volunteered one day a week or a few times during Lent?

Whatever you decide to do (or not do) during Lent, I pray that your intention is that it brings you closer in your relationship with God. In 40 days we won’t just be celebrating Easter, we will celebrate our closer relationship to Christ though our Lenten experience.