Don’t ‘Lent’ Yourself Down: Fasting, Prayer, and Crushing the 2025 Season of Spiritual Preparation.

Here we are again—the season of Lent! A time when we fast, “give something up,” and, as Catholics, abstain from eating meat on Fridays. It’s a meaningful season for many Christians, and now, a week into it, I find myself asking—just as I have in many years past—What on earth are we doing, and why are we doing all this?

Seriously, I’m the type of person who constantly asks “Why?”—much to the chagrin of many of my past employers. And Lent is one of those seasons where I’ve often gotten the response, “Because that’s just what you do during Lent. Now shut up and eat your stale bread.” But if you’re anything like me, you want to know why you’re doing what you’re doing. What is the purpose behind this powerful season of prayer?

What Is Lent? Lent is a time of reflection, penance, and preparation, commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, as described in the Gospels. It is observed by Catholics and many (though not all) Protestant denominations.

According to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke—the ones that closely parallel each other), Jesus went into the desert after His baptism, led by the Holy Spirit, to be tempted by the devil. This event is commonly referred to as “the Temptation of Christ.”

So, Why Did Jesus Fast in the Desert? Glad you asked! For a few reasons actually…

Spiritual Preparation – This was a time of intense prayer before Jesus began His public ministry.

Identifying with Humanity – By facing temptation, Jesus fully embraced the human experience, showing that He understands our struggles.

Demonstrating Obedience – His resistance to temptation highlighted His obedience to God and rejection of worldly power and pleasure.

The way I see it, Jesus wanted to earn His reputation as fully human and fully divine by walking in our shoes and squaring off with the devil.

Why Do We Fast During Lent? Another good question, you’re on a roll..

For Christians, Lent mirrors Jesus’ 40-day fast in the desert. Through fasting, we deepen our spiritual connection by practicing self-discipline and reflecting on His sacrifices. The discipline required in fasting cultivates virtues like self-control and temperance. By resisting physical temptations, we develop resilience, strengthening our ability to withstand greater moral challenges and aligning our lives more closely with Christ’s example.

So, How Should We Fast? Bang! Hitting me with good questions today! I’ll be honest… I’ve definitely mailed it in before—“This year, I’m fasting from vegetables and giving up being on time for work.” We kind of miss the point when we approach it like that.

The Catechism mentions fasting many times and the Code of Canon Law states that it’s applicable to people between 14-59 years old. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops gives more guidelines: “When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.” Fasting also involves abstaining from certain foods or habits. Some other common sacrifices include giving up sweets or coffee. Others choose to limit screen time or social media to remove distractions and focus more on their faith (which, let’s be honest, we could all benefit from).

Personally, I just eat once per day at dinner, where I THROW DOWN.

Lent isn’t just about giving things up—it’s also about prayer and almsgiving (acts of charity). When we combine fasting with prayer and generosity, we create a season ripe for spiritual growth.

I’m aiming to crush Lent in 2025—so let’s show some discipline and have a great season of prayer and development. Whether you follow the Catechism and Canon to the letter, or just make a personal sacrifice, you’re working in the right direction. As always, call BS or show some love in the comments. God Bless!