Some people just don’t know what to do with Lutherans. Some call us “Catholic lite” because we have some of the same practices as Roman Catholics, but some differences as well. Some people become Lutheran because we’re not quite Catholic and we’re not quite something else (Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc).
This seeming lack of definition leads many Lutherans and other Christians to ask questions like:
- So, what are we supposed to do during Lent?
- The Bible talks about prayer and fasting. If I do those things, am I being weird?
- Am I supposed to give something up or take something on?
- If I observe Lent, does it mean that I need to do something boring, something I dread, or even something painful?
Let me begin by keeping first things first: your salvation does not depend on these things! We are “justified by grace apart from works prescribed by the Law.” That is (should be!) ingrained in our very Lutheran DNA. But by using the phrase “faith practices” to lay the groundwork for what we’re doing, we can see that these practices are intended to help us grow in faith and holiness. The things we do during Lent are not intended to be just about health improvement, losing weight, smoking cessation or giving up chocolate. While these are worthy self-improvement goals, the things we do during Lent are intended to help us grow in our relationship with God and with each other. These faith practices are not intended to bore us, cause us physical or emotional pain, or to be “good for you” in the same way as we were told as kids that vegetables would be.
If you are interested in finding a way for you, your family or your friends to observe Lent, allow me to offer a few ideas.
First, if you want to give something up, that’s fine … have at it. The reason we give stuff up during Lent is to remember the sacrifices Jesus made for us, and, in particular, the 40 days and of fasting He endured after He was baptized by John the Baptist. If you’re going to give something up, give something up that you actually use or a practice you actually engage in. The same works if there is something you would like to add. What if, for example, you’re a major coffee drinker. You could drink tea or water instead of coffee. That’s enough of a change to your routine and what you would normally do, that it makes you pay attention every time you would normally go for that coffee. While preparing your tea, use that as an opportunity to say a simple prayer: “Thank you, God.” or “I’m having a rough day, God. Help me.” or “My co-worker, Sally, she’s in a really bad mood. I’m not sure why. Help me help her.”
This is a great way to bring children into this faith practice. If they like to use a mechanical pencil in school, switch it out for regular pencils. Or, if Friday is pizza night, have it be baked potato night instead. Something simple. Of course, you should talk with them before you change up their routine. You want them to know why you’re doing it. Let them see that you aren’t just imposing this on them, but that you’re doing it, too.
Second, you can do some sort of devotional or Bible reading with prayer. There are several methods that I’ve shared before (scroll down to “Many Ways to Pray”). I’ve also included resources at the bottom of this article.
Third, you can create a space at your home that becomes a holy place – maybe on your dinner table. You can combine this place with faith practices. For example, you could make sure you and your family share meals together, which is increasingly a rare thing to do. You could use symbols of water to remember your baptism, a lit candle to remind you of the light of Christ (John 1), or a simple cross. You may even put a small scoop of dirt from your yard in a bowl to remind you of the shortness and uncertainty of life and that, whether we live or whether we die, we are God’s children.
Fourth, create a new tradition. After I graduated from college, I attended Christ the King Lutheran Church in Houston, TX. I had a group of friends there who began a fast every Tuesday night of Lent. It was really hard getting up Wednesday morning to go to work and to remain at my desk when everyone else was going out to lunch. Some of my co-workers must have thought I was crazy. After fasting for nearly 24 hours, our group from church got together for the Wednesday Lenten service, and, after worship, we went to break our fast at a small Italian restaurant down the street. I can tell you … no food ever tasted so good and never was I so thankful for it. We enjoyed each other’s company, great food, and gave thanks to God for it all.
Whatever you do this Lent, have it be a time for you to clear away some of the stuff that clutters your heart, your mind and your spirit. Have the activities you engage in or that you refrain from be “faith practices” that help you grow in relationship with God.
I welcome your comments, suggestions, and, especially, what faith practices you’re doing during Lent this year. Be creative. Have fun. Grow in God!
In Christ,
Pastor Jeff
Lent resources
- The Faith 5 [link] – this site has great resources that are especially good for families
- 40 Acts [link] – do Lent generously
- Luther Seminary Lent resources [link] – the page contains downloadable resources and a way to subscribe to a daily email devotion
- Lent for Everyone [link] – N.T. Wright, 53 days
- 40 Days of Lent [link] – Journey Church, 47 days
- ReThink Life: 40 Day Devotional [link] – ReThink, 40 days
- The 40-Day New Testament Challenge [link] – Margaret Feinberg, 40 days
Epicurious Lutheran 