https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/lent/rss/ Prayer, fasting, preparation. Copyright https://www.christianity.com 2026, Christianity.com Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:21:05 -0400 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/movies-to-watch-lent.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/movies-to-watch-lent.html G. Connor Salter https://www.christianity.com/author/connor-salter/ Whether you officially observe Lent or treat it as a time for voluntary reflection and prayer, it is a great time to recenter spiritually. In the weeks leading up to Easter, we can fast to focus our minds on our provider. We can reflect on his goodness and his sacrifice to save us. We pray for his strength to help us grow spiritually and become more Christlike. Lent is a sobering time but a fulfilling time.Assuming that you’re not giving up movies as part of your Lenten fast, it can be helpful to pursue movies with Lenten themes. They may be movies about Christians undergoing trials that challenge you to keep your faith strong. They may be movies about divine deliverance that inspire you to hold onto hope. Whatever their focus, they can help you reflect on the season in new ways.If you’re looking for meaningful movies to watch during Lent, the best choices are those that reflect themes of sacrifice, redemption, faith, and the life of Christ, helping you stay spiritually focused during this season. Here are 10 great movies to watch during Lent, with tips on the best audience for each.Photo Credit: Getty Images/pamela_d_mcadams Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:50:00 -0400 2026-03-31T02:21:05-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/does-the-bible-mention-what-to-give-up-for-lent.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/does-the-bible-mention-what-to-give-up-for-lent.html Jessica Brodie https://www.christianity.com/author/jessica-brodie/ Whether you give up something for Lent or take on something new (such as a deeper daily prayer ritual or a devotional practice), consider observing Lent this year in a way that matters to you personally. Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:55:00 -0400 2026-03-31T02:21:05-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/lent/18-meaningful-ways-to-honor-god-this-lent.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/lent/18-meaningful-ways-to-honor-god-this-lent.html Jessica Brodie https://www.christianity.com/author/jessica-brodie/ Lent begins on Ash Wednesday—and runs for forty days, excluding Sundays, until a few days before Easter, on Holy (Maundy) Thursday. A time of deep reflection, repentance and self-examination, Lent is a wonderful opportunity for Christians to undertake fresh spiritual growth in a way that honors God and reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus made when he willingly died for us all on the cross.Lent isn’t something I grew up observing, but when I learned about it as an adult, I was excited about the opportunity to take on a personal spiritual pilgrimage of sorts, journeying deeper in my faith and understanding anew what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. For as I’ve learned in my own Christian walk, faith and growth look different for everyone, and what works or is necessary for me isn’t always what will work for someone else.Sometimes, people “give up” things for Lent. Typically, these are bad habits or vices they struggle with. For instance, someone might give up junk food or alcohol for Lent. I’ve had friends who do social media fasts or go without their phones or watching television.Other people “take on” things for Lent. Typically, these are new practices and disciplines that help them grow closer to Jesus or learn something new and important about their faith. For instance, someone might begin a daily prayer journaling habit, an exercise program, or a fast. Another person might do a daily devotional or Bible study.There’s no “one right way” to observe Lent, for preparing our hearts and minds for Easter, which is different for everyone.If you’re having trouble deciding what you want to do to observe Lent this year, I’ve put together a collection of ideas. Here, then, are 18 ways to honor God this Lenten season.Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Jasmin Ne Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0400 2026-03-31T02:21:05-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/lent/why-do-some-christians-especially-catholics-fast-during-lent.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/lent/why-do-some-christians-especially-catholics-fast-during-lent.html Britt Mooney https://www.christianity.com/author/britt-mooney/ Many Christians, especially Catholics, fast during Lent to imitate Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness and to cultivate repentance, humility, and deeper dependence on God. It’s a season of spiritual discipline meant to prepare the heart for Easter through prayer, fasting, and reflection.While I heard about Ash Wednesday and Lent, I grew up in an evangelical bubble where we argued more about the baptism of the Holy Spirit than we discussed liturgical traditions. I married my wife in my twenties, and her father’s family was Catholic. We had some interesting conversations with my wife’s aunt regarding her practices and beliefs, including what she was fasting from during Lent. There has been a renewed interest in observing Lent and fasting during the Lenten season recently. People are searching for ways to connect with their faith, and this is one way many have embraced. Let's learn more about this practice in this article.Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/FREDERICA ABAN Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:55:00 -0400 2026-03-31T02:21:05-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/how-to-fast-for-lent-fasting-guide-40-days.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/how-to-fast-for-lent-fasting-guide-40-days.html Christianity.com Editorial Staff https://www.christianity.com/author/christianitycom-editorial-staff/ Fasting is practiced by numerous Christian denominations during the time of Lent in preparation for Easter Sunday. Discover the Christian significance of fasting for Lent and practical guidance for your fast in 2026. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:25:00 -0500 2026-03-31T02:21:05-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/when-is-lent-start-date-and-timeline.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/when-is-lent-start-date-and-timeline.html Christianity.com Editorial Staff https://www.christianity.com/author/christianitycom-editorial-staff/ Key FactsThe start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, is on February 18th, 2026.Lent is a 40 day period of fasting and prayer leading up to Easter.Lent ends on Holy Saturday, just before Easter Sunday. The word "Lent" comes from the word "lecten" which is Anglo-Saxon meaning "spring" and refers to the lengthening of days.During the Lenten season, Christians engage in various traditional rituals and practices as a way of preparing spiritually for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Fasting is common during Lent and involves giving up certain foods, activities, or habits as a form of self-discipline and spiritual reflection.Many Christians also attend special worship services, reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice, and seek to grow in their relationship with God during this period. The Lenten season serves as a time of repentance, self-examination, and spiritual renewal in preparation for the joyous celebration of Easter.Download your FREE copy of our 40-Day Lent and Easter Devotional - filled with daily Scriptures, reflections, and prayers for the Lent season.  Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:20:00 -0500 2026-03-31T02:21:05-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/the-true-purpose-of-biblical-fasting-plus-types-of-fasting.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/the-true-purpose-of-biblical-fasting-plus-types-of-fasting.html S. E. Tschritter https://www.christianity.com/author/s-e-tschritter/ Most people misunderstand the purpose of fasting and its potential benefits—both physical and spiritual. But Jesus doesn't say in Matthew 6, “If you fast.” He says, “When you fast.” Wed, 28 Jan 2026 10:15:00 -0500 2026-03-31T02:21:05-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/50-things-to-give-up-for-lent.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/50-things-to-give-up-for-lent.html Heather Riggleman https://www.christianity.com/author/heather-riggleman/ Here are 70 of our favorite and most popular ideas for what to give up for Lent. Wed, 26 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2026-03-31T02:21:05-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/which-christian-denominations-observe-lent.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/which-christian-denominations-observe-lent.html Mary Oelerich-Meyer https://www.christianity.com/author/mary-oelerich-meyer/ Lent is observed by churches that follow a liturgical calendar, including Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some Protestant denominations. Wed, 05 Feb 2025 09:45:00 -0500 2026-03-31T02:21:05-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/redeeming-lent.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/redeeming-lent.html Doug Ponder https://www.christianity.com/author/doug-ponder/ Why has observing Lent become a trend among evangelicals? What should we think about Lent anyway? Thu, 01 Feb 2024 02:00:00 -0500 2026-03-31T02:21:05-04:00