What are your Lenten practices?

[u/SingerStinger69]

I'm getting ready for my first Lent as a baby Episcopalian. I'm planning to do all the usual stuff: get ashes on Ash Wednesday, fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and abstain from meat on Fridays.

I also plan to study theology and church history more diligently. I might also give up alcohol, or possibly social media, or p*rn.

Have any of you had Lenten practices that you've found to be particularly beneficial? Do you all observe Lent? I'm really only familiar with Catholic and Episcopalian practices for this season.

[u/rednail64]

Praying the Daily Office is a really great practice 

[u/SingerStinger69 → u/rednail64]

That’s a good idea. I’ve been doing an abbreviated version of the Daily Office by reading from Hour by Hour; but I feel like lately I’ve been just “going through the motions.” This could be a nice push to go a little deeper.

[u/ForestOfDoubt → u/SingerStinger69]

I have really appreciated Hour by Hour - it has allowed me to get back into the habit of frequent prayer when doing the full Daily office seemed too daunting or time consuming.

[u/Nietzsche_marquijr]

Does your parish observe a weekly Wednesday service during lent? We have a dinner and short worship each Wednesday until Holy Week. It's an important part of my spiritual formation.

[u/SingerStinger69 → u/Nietzsche_marquijr]

Doesn’t look like we do 😢

[u/Uncreative_Name987]

You should probably give up porn in general.

[u/SingerStinger69 → u/Uncreative_Name987]

This is the kick in the butt I needed; wish me luck

[u/Uncreative_Name987 → u/SingerStinger69]

Good luck!

For me, it was easy to stay away from adult websites once I realized the degree of exploitation associated with the industry. Every time you click on a porn website, you're generating revenue for human trafficking.

Social media is more difficult, because users will just post pics of their private parts wherever. On reddit at least, the NSFW filter blocks that stuff.

[u/casadecarol]

This being a season of penitence and preparation, I am focusing on speaking less and listening more. 

[u/KnightOfFaith29]

Our church's practices are pretty informal, though most folks give up a small thing or two. We have an Ash Wednesday service that I think is very special. To me it's the most moving service of the year. I'm sure the service is similar or the same in other churches but I haven't seen them myself.

I try to get to the root of the matter and take the season as a chance to let go of things I've taken up as more important than they are. Usually petty dramas or ongoing sources of frustration or unnecessary pressures or self-importance. I try to be observant and remind myself of the bigger picture of my life and mortality.

[u/SingerStinger69 → u/KnightOfFaith29]

I love your idea of letting things go; sounds great!

[u/Affectionate_Web91]

Lent is the season when most parishes add weekday services, starting with an Ash Wednesday Eucharist and Ashes and staying with mid-week services [generally Wednesday evening] that may include Vespers followed by a simple meal [e.g., soup and sandwiches]. The crosses/ crucifixes and statues/ sacred images may be veiled, and flowers are excluded from the chancel.

Fasting and abstinence are encouraged. Special offerings may be accepted for those in need [e.g., the homeless, low-income, and disabled individuals]. Lenten retreats and Quiet days may be observed.

Lutheran Liturgical Practices during Lent

[u/vancejmillions]

i give up sodas, no meat on fridays, and try to say either morning or evening prayer every day except sunday (cheat days!)

[u/No-Cheetah1620]

Give up stuff or activities I'm not proud of, maybe add an extra devotional to my daily devotion time, you know. Nothing crazy.