“Yet even now, declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.’ Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” (Joel 2:12-13)
Ash Wednesday, marked by the imposition of ash on foreheads, initiates a 40-day period of Lent in the liturgical calendar of the church. It is the first day of the Lenten season, concluding with the celebration of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ash Wednesday and its practice of ash imposition on foreheads are ancient traditions in the Latin (Roman) Church. The observance of Lent predates that of Ash Wednesday. History has it that in the early church, baptism candidates would have a period of about three to four days of fasting in preparation for their baptism. Years later, the fasting days were lengthened to forty days, and other believers would also join the baptism candidates, eventually adapting it as a practice for the entire church. As early as the third century, there was a reference to Lent as can be found in one of the Canons issued by the Church Leaders in the Council of Nicaea.
But why 40 days? There are several references in the scriptures to events and occasions that lasted for 40 days, including the fast of our Lord Jesus Christ for 40 days and 40 nights. Others include Moses spending 40 days on Mount Sinai with God, Noah waiting for the waters to recede for 40 days and 40 nights, the exodus lasting 40 years, and Elijah walking for 40 days and 40 nights to the mountain of God. However, the 40 days and 40 nights wilderness experience of Jesus Christ in Matthew 4:1-11 must have been a key factor that inspired the 40 days of fast. A Catholic Catechism states it clearly; “By the solemn forty days of Lent, the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert” (Catechism, No. 540).
Despite its Roman origin, the observance of Ash Wednesday and the forty days of Lent was not discarded by the reformers, making it a common practice in all Protestant churches, even though many evangelical and non-denominational churches do not embrace it. “In the Anglican churches, The Book of Common Prayer prescribes that Lent be observed with fasting. In Lutheran and many other Protestant churches, Lent is observed with various services and practices, though Lent is not formally observed in many Evangelical or nondenominational churches” (Britannica). So, what is the significance of Ash Wednesday and the Lent period? Is it only a religious practice devoid of spiritual enrichment?
Considering the principles underlining these practices, it is right to see them as an opportunity to deepen our experience with the Lord Jesus Christ. An introductory paragraph for Ash Wednesday service of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne in Australia states, “Lent is a time of preparation for Easter: forty days of preparation for fifty days of celebration. Lent means waiting—for the cross, the water, and the fire. God does not need Lent, but we do. The rhythm of fast and feast taps into some elemental need of ours, where denial creates longings to be satisfied so that we come to a deeper appreciation of God’s great gifts.” In Lent, the message of penitence calls us to reflect on the Cross of Christ, the means of our salvation; water baptism symbolizes the washing of our sins, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit guarantees our salvation.
Further, as a period of fasting, the abstinence from food and other ‘pleasures’ to focus on prayer provides an opportunity to cultivate an intimate relationship with God. Jesus fasted and encouraged his disciples to fast for spiritual nourishment. While a believer is not limited to fasting only during the 40 days, setting aside a specific period on the calendar for this purpose seems convincing. Initially, the Lenten period did not mean anything to me until, for the first time, I intentionally fasted for all 40 days of Lent. If you have failed to initiate personal fasting days, consider fasting during this Lent period. If you are unable to make the 40 days, set aside a little more time to pray than you usually do, and you will notice growth in your intimacy with God.
And, the message of penitence, calling us to return to the Lord, is an opportunity for us to examine our ways before the Lord. No one claims an ultimately straight walk with the Lord. Sometimes, we may not even know that we are beginning to diverge until a wake-up call comes to us. This is essentially why God raised several prophets to proclaim penitence to the people. One such prophet is Joel, who spoke to Israel; “Yet even now, declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.’ Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” (Joel 2:12-13).
In conclusion, Ash Wednesday and Lent offer an opportunity for believers to engage in practices that deepen their spiritual journey. The symbolic acts, combined with the period of fasting and focused prayer, contribute to a richer understanding of the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, the cleansing power of baptism, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. These practices are not mere religious rituals but avenues for personal and communal growth in faith. As we embark on this Lenten journey, may we heed the call to penitence, examine our hearts before the Lord, and return to Him with sincerity and devotion. In doing so, we align ourselves with the rhythm of fast and feast, tapping into a deeper appreciation of God’s grace and gifts.
Contact us
We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a line below and we’ll do our best to get back to you within one business day.
JIT Global Impact Ministries 