Q&A for How to Celebrate Lent

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Why is fasting considered as devotion to God?

Liz Cooledge Jenkins
Christian Theology Expert
Liz Cooledge Jenkins is a Christian Theology Expert based in Seattle, Washington. She is a freelance writer and preacher. Liz’s writing is focused at the intersections of faith, feminism, and social justice. She is the author of Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women's Humanity from Evangelicalism. She also blogs at her own Substack, and has written for outlets such as Sojourners, The Christian Century, Premier Christianity, Christians for Social Action, Red Letter Christians, and Feminism & Religion. She worked as a Chaplain for King County Fire District in Burien Washington. Prior to that, she served as College Ministry Director at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, California. She received a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. She earned a BS in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University.

Liz Cooledge Jenkins

Christian Theology Expert

Expert Answer

Fasting is a way of putting your spiritual priorities above your physical needs. You're choosing to give up food and that you’re making this as a statement that your relationship with God matters more than your own comfort. Doing this draws you closer to God and helps you focus your heart on Him. It’s like you're saying, “God, You’re more important to me than anything else,” and in the Bible, people fasted for many reasons, like when seeking God’s guidance, to repent of sin, or to prepare for something significant. Even Jesus fasted for 40 days before beginning His ministry, showing that fasting can strengthen your faith and prepare you for challenges. Fasting also reminds you of your dependence on God. When you feel hungry or miss whatever you’ve chosen to give up, it can prompt you to pray and lean on Him. It’s not about punishing yourself or proving how strong you are—it’s about making room for God to work in your life.

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Question

Should one fast on Sundays?

Community Answer

In the 40 days of Lent, Sundays are not counted. It is permissible to fast on Sunday if you'd like, though.

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Question

Where in the Bible is this even mentioned?

Community Answer

In the Bible, it is mentioned that Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. Lent commemorates this.

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Is drinking and smoking prohibited during Lent?

Community Answer

No, though these are good options to consider giving up for Lent.

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Question

Should my entire forehead be exposed if I'm going to be anointed with ash on Ash Wednesday? If so, should I lift my hair up during it or get a haircut?

Community Answer

Your forehead should be visible to the priest or deacon (or minister/pastor, depending on your denomination) during the actual imposition of ashes. You can just lift your hair, or have a ponytail. You don't have to keep the ashes visible after mass.

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Our priest spoke at a meeting and said your penance for Lent ends after Easter vigil or after the mass you attend on Easter Sunday. You state that Lent ends on Holy Thursday. Which is correct?

Community Answer

Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are called the Triduum. The 40 days of Lent end on Holy Thursday. However, you should continue to fast, pray, and do penance during the Triduum. Some people like to do their Lenten penance as well as some added penance during the Triduum.

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Question

What if a Catholic seriously forgets it's a Friday during Lent and eats meat that day and is sorry for it?

Community Answer

If they are truly sorry, God will forgive, and they could even go to confession.

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Question

Is all right to drink coffee during Lent? Do I skip the sugar? Is Holy Thursday the day after Ash Wednesday? What if I can't fast the whole 40 days?

Ollieoxenfree

Community Answer

You may drink coffee during Lent, although many people give it up. You don't have to skip the sugar unless you have given up sugar. Holy Thursday is the day before Good Friday. Fasting is only mandatory on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; all the other days, you are not required to fast.

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What are the types of food required during Lent?

Community Answer

Eat fresh veggies and fruit. During Len you can't eat meat on Fridays.

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Question

Do I eat at all during Lent?

Community Answer

You can eat during Lent. If you're Catholic you're required to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent.

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Question

I heard that some people don't wear their footwear during Lent days; what's the reason behind it?

告尤金

Community Answer

Some people think that it is a symbol of humility.

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Question

Why is Lent important?

Community Answer

Lent is our time out of the year to focus for 40 days on God. Lent is a good time to really evaluate our lives and see if we are living in harmony with God. If not, what can we change? Lent is important because it gives us time to be with God and for God to be with us before Easter.

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Question

Can I skip the fast on Sundays?

Community Answer

Sunday is one of the main days you shouldn't skip. It is best not to skip especially that day.

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Question

Do I have to fast?

Community Answer

No, you don't have to fast if you don't want to.

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Are Sundays included in Lent?

Community Answer

Yes. You should start the sacrifice on Ash Wednesday and keep going until at least Holy Thursday.

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Question

Can I eat chicken during lent?

Community Answer

No, chicken still counts as meat.

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Question

Can I watch movies during lent?

Community Answer

Indeed you can!

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Question

Can you wash off your ashes before going to bed on Ash Wednesday or do you have to keep it on until it disappears on its own (which could be days later)?

Community Answer

You should try keep it until your next shower, and then you can just wash it off. Change your pillowcase then too.

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Is it true that I can't drink alcohol during Lent?

Rose

Community Answer

According to Wikipedia: "Church requirements on fasting only relate to solid food, not to drink, so Church law does not restrict the amount of water or other beverages – even alcoholic drinks – which may be consumed. In some Western countries, Catholics have been encouraged to adopt non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent."

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Question

Do I have to go to church on Good Friday?

Community Answer

No, you don't. However, it can be a good experience, and I would advise it, as it is a deeply holy day and allows you to think about the sacrifice Jesus made to save you!

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Question

What happens during an Ash Wednesday service?

Community Answer

During this service, you will get a cross marked on your head with ashes made from the palms of last year's Palm Sunday. The pastor will tell you "From dust you come, and to dust you shall return" to remind you of your own death, and that God has saved you from it.

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Question

Can a person under the age of 18 take part in the fasting or not?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as you are healthy, not pregnant, or have no medical condition that would make fasting a bad idea.

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Question

Is a married couple allowed to have sexual intercourse during Lent?

Torpi

Top Answerer

Not in Eastern Orthodox churches. The Roman Catholic Church does not have any particular teaching on this - it is up to the couple to decide whether or not having sex during Lent would be true to the idea of giving up something good in service of something greater. Those Protestant churches that do practice Lent will have different teachings depending on denomination.

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Question

If I slip up and do the thing that I gave up for Lent, would that be considered a sin?

Community Answer

If you tried to give up a sin for Lent, such as lying, it would be a sin. If it was just something like giving up chocolate, and you accidentally ate chocolate, it is not a sin if you are truly sorry for it.

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Question

Why is singing Alleluia prohibited in Lent?

Mai Lê Bảo Khang

Community Answer

Because, Alleluia is associated to Paschal joy, which is first expressed after the Gloria of the Paschal Vigil. The last day of Alleluia is the Shrove Tuesday, and the first day after it is the Easter Vigil. (Note: In Easter Vigil, neither Alleluia nor Tract is sung before Gospel but the Psalm 118 between Epistle and Gospel is sung.)

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Question

When does the 40 days fasting start? And what time do we eat and how long do we have in between? Is it a good idea to fast for 40 days if I am fasting for the first time?

Crystal

Community Answer

The 40 days of Lent start on Ash Wednesday, about 6 1/2 weeks before Easter. Fasting as a Catholic is 1 full meal about 3 p.m. and 2 smaller meals not to equal the full meal in size. We are also not supposed to fast on Sundays and certain feast days, including St. Joseph's Day, March 19.

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Question

How do you define ‘God’?

Community Answer

God is the creator of everything. He looks after everyone and loves everyone. He is present everywhere and can do any and everything. Like every parent, God sees how we live and takes pride in seeing good children who could love and display faith in their daily living.

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Question

I want to sacrifice watching TV for Lent but I live with my boyfriend in a one bedroom. How do I avoid watching TV in this instance?

Community Answer

You can avoid eating chicken when your boyfriend is eating it. You will get the smell when he is eating but that's okay. Likewise, if the T.V. is on, you might get distracted but you need not be glued to it or avoiding your meditation during Lent. Your mind should be ready to focus on Lent and Jesus and the rest will fall in place. Jesus can see that you 'want' to make it work.

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Question

What topics are for Lent?

Community Answer

Reflecting upon how casually you've been taking your responsibilities, making an honest decision to accept your purpose of life, being kind to others, loving Jesus and so on. These things about your acts, thoughts and praising Jesus for His love can be reflected upon during lent.

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Question

I want to fast 12 hours but do I drink water?

Community Answer

You are allowed to drink water as you like. Don't gorge on too much water on an empty stomach. It is not in the true spirit of Lent.

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