How to Survive Lent

Lent is a time of self examination and repentance in the Christian religion. It is a period that lasts 40 days--patterned after the 40 days and nights Jesus Christ spent in the wilderness. Christian churches practice Lent in different ways. Learn how to survive lent regardless of your church affiliation.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Understand that Christian churches practice Lent in different ways. The Catholic church is at the strict end of the spectrum--fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstaining from meat on all Fridays throughout Lent. Protestant churches generally don't abstain or fast. The focus is geared toward service to others during Lent.
2. Know that to "fast" means to have only one regular meal and two small snacks for an entire day. The snacks can't equal the size of a meal. In the Catholic church, those between age 18 to 60 are required to fast unless poor health dictates otherwise. Children aren't required to fast. Abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent applies to people age 14 and up.
3. Eat a hearty, meatless meal on the days of fasting. Have carbs and other filling foods to keep you feeling full throughout the day. Drink plenty of water, which also fills up the stomach. If you don't feel hungry, you'll be less likely to break the fast.
4. Choose different foods on meatless Fridays during Lent. Indulge in seafood or pasta with a meat-free sauce. Pizza with cheese or vegetables is a tasty alternative to a meal with meat.
5. Consider giving up a luxury during Lent. This is a common practice in some Christian churches. Common items are candy, soda pop or other snack foods. Choose something that is a sacrifice for you but not something you feel you'll really miss.
6. Focus on service to others rather than sacrifice to yourself. Help an elderly neighbor with a house project or volunteer at a soup kitchen. Have children do extra chores for a service project.

Tips & Warnings

• Give up something for Lent that you know you can live without for 40 days. It will make it easier to stick to your Lenten promise.
• Understand that living by the guidelines of Lent isn't easy, but faltering on those guidelines isn't going to condemn you to hell.