I’ve always found Lent to be a meaningful season. On occasions when my home church didn’t offer Ash Wednesday services, I would find a church that did—and wear the ashes on my forehead the rest of the day. If my church didn’t emphasize fasting, I would choose a fast for the season. And though I maintain a devotional habit of prayer and Bible reading all year, I would often alter my habit to make it more appropriate for Lent. Such adjustments can enrich anyone’s experience.
But what to do when, because of illness, travel, or other circumstances, we can’t get to church for Lenten observances? How to observe Lent wherever you are?
It may take a little more intentionality to observe Lent if you can’t gather and worship with others, but your Lenten journey can be even richer for the effort you make. Especially if you emphasize four areas.
1) Humble Yourself
Confession and repentance are important facets of this special season. Seek to obey the Scriptural imperative to “Humble yourself in the Lord’s presence” (James 4:10 NCV). Some suggestions:
- Bow or prostrate yourself as you begin your prayer time each day.
- Place a handkerchief or napkin on your head (instead of ashes!) as you pray to symbolize your submission to God.
- Spend some time in silence, head bowed, meditating on a verse such as James 4:10 or Matthew 23:12.
2) Remove Something
Many Christians abstain from eating meat during Lent or on Fridays through the season. You can do that or choose to give up something else—perhaps something unhelpful—from your daily life (and don’t forget that Sundays don’t count during Lent). For example:
- Give up something that distracts from your relationship with God or others, such as social media, televised sports, or a favorite video game.
- Remove tempting sweets from your diet.
- Try “fasting” from all electronics for a length of time.
READ MORE: What to Give Up for Lent: 15 Meaningful Suggestions
3) Add Something
In addition to removing something unhelpful, try adding something helpful—something that might strengthen or deepen your faith during this season:
- Read a Lenten devotion
- Practice Lectio Divina daily, or the practice of spiritual reading, prayer, and meditation
- Watch some of the inspirational videos on the Guideposts channel on YouTube
READ MORE: 5 Things to Do (Not Give Up) for Lent
4) Serve Someone
Lent is not only about self-denial but also service. Why not start a new role or routine of reaching out to others? Adding one of these activities might make this Lent a blessed one for you—and someone else.
- Tutor a student.
- Visit a nearby nursing home.
- Call or email a lonely relative or invalid on a regular basis.
- Mail a handwritten card to someone you haven’t connected with in a while.
- Do something for the planet and commit to being more green during the Lenten season.
Before you get overwhelmed with Lent ideas, keep one good rule in mind: start small. Trying to do too much will be counterproductive. Instead, choose mindfully from these four intentions, maybe just one a day.
It’s possible to observe Lent wherever you are. Even if you’re not in church, making just one small gesture on each of Lent’s 40 days can enlarge and prepare your soul for the beauty and blessing of the Resurrection morning that is to come.
READ MORE ABOUT HOW TO DO LENT:
