The season of Lent begins this week on Ash Wednesday. Lent is a solemn season when Christians traditionally give something up. Here are four reasons why you should give up something (eg. chocolate, alcohol, gambling) in Lent:

many people in the world live much more simply than we do.
Jesus was tempted (Matthew 4: 1-11) and so Jesus understands when we are tempted to do wrong.
We must be able to decide right from wrong, and learn to say ‘no’ to what is wrong and ‘yes’ to what is right, even if that’s hard to do. So giving something up in Lent helps us learn how to say ‘no’.
It’s good to have a balanced life so that when we celebrate and have a feast we enjoy it more if there are also times of restraint, going without, fasting.

The fast ends on Easter Day (8th April).

Prayer for the week

Heavenly Father, your Son battled with the powers of darkness and grew closer to you in the wilderness:
Help us to use the season of Lent to grow in wisdom and prayer, that we may witness to your saving love in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Notes/Reflections

When we are fasting we may see the world differently and it might make us pray more and give thanks for life.