How to Give Up Something for Lent

Wikipedia defines LENT as: "in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where according to the Bible he endured temptation by Satan."

For Roman Catholics, Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, which ends on Easter Sunday. During the period of Lent we are asked to make a daily "Sacrifice", in addition to the rules of Lenten fasting.

Here are a few ideas to help you pick an appropriate sacrifice for Lent.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Make sure your sacrifice is challenging, yet still something you can actually do. Everyone would like to give up work or cleaning, but that really isn't a sacrifice!
   
   For instance, if you are a sweets lover you can give up sweets for Lent. Since this may be impossible for you to do entirely, maybe just give up your favorite sweet or one kind of sweets (like cookies OR candy).

2. Instead of giving something up, DO SOMETHING. Our parish priest once explained to us that a Lenten sacrifice did not have to be something you give up. It could in fact be something you DO, as long as it is a sacrifice.
   
   This Lent, consider DOING something. Of course it has to be something you don't enjoy - playing golf more ofen doesn't count! Maybe take over one of your spouse's household chores or clean up the kitchen every night after dinner.

3. Some sacrifices, can benefit you in addition to being a sacrifice. Like promising to exercise every day ( or 3x a week). If you hate exercising and have been trying to get motivated to start an exercise program - or stick with one - make that your Lenten sacrifice. This could work with dieting, paying bills on time, being more organized etc. You are making a sacrifice, but in the end you benefit from your changed behavior.

4. Some people make combination sacrifices. Like giving up the daily Latte AND donating the money to a much needed charity.

5. Think long and hard about what kind of sacrifice you are going to make and choose something wisely. Make sure it IS a sacrifice, but that it's also something you can do for forty days!

Resources

• Wikipedia - Lent

[leapyearfish]

on 2/24/2009 sometimes people cheat and give up something easy. good article!

[40skydiver]

on 2/21/2009 Good ideas, good article.

[Marilynda]

on 2/19/2009 a big sacrifice for me would be to give up mashed potatoes! I've been thinking about what to give up for lent with it being only a week away. Your article is timely that's for sure. 5*

[PajamaMommy]

on 2/18/2009 Wonderful ideas! I am going to try doing extra rather than giving something up this year.

[kluke82]

on 2/18/2009 I like your idea of doing something instead of giving something up for Lent. Good article!