The 3 Important Pillars of Lent We Should Be Embracing This Season
How time flies and Lent is coming once again! D you want a refresher about the 3 important pillars of Lent in preparation for the Lenten season? If yes, keep reading, and let’s talk about prayer, fasting, and almsgiving together.
As we all know, Lent is a period of the Catholic Church’s (and other Christian denominations) liturgical calendar year that marks a period of fasting, prayer, reflection, penance, and repentance.
It is the 40 days leading up to Easter, and typically begins on Ash Wednesday. During this time, Christians reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity and prepare for the celebration of His resurrection.
Lent is a time to give up something that is important to us, to take a stand against our temptations, and to strive to be more like Jesus Christ. It is a time to renew our faith and recommit ourselves to God.
By engaging in these three important pillars of Lent, we can prepare ourselves to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter.
What Are The 3 Important Pillars of Lent?
As Christians, the three important pillars of Lent are a wonderful way to prepare for the season.
They are a reminder that this is a season of reflection, prayer, and charitable work. Through prayer, we can draw closer to God and deepen our relationship with Him. By fasting, we can unite ourselves with the sufferings of Jesus on the cross. And finally, through almsgiving, we can show our love for our neighbors and help those in need.
By following the three pillars of Lent, we can make our journey through this special season of preparation a meaningful and rewarding one.
1. Prayer
Prayer is a very important pillar of the Lenten season and is a great way to strengthen our relationship with God.
During this time, we can set aside time each day to pray, whether it be a few minutes of silence or more formal prayer, or increase our daily prayer time if we already have a daily prayer routine. and much better if we can go to daily mass during the 40 days of Lent.
We can also incorporate prayer into our daily routines by saying grace before meals, praying during our commutes, and taking moments throughout the day to offer up a prayer of thanksgiving or petition.
Additionally, we can take part in communal prayers at our parish, like the Holy Rosary, or join in adoration or morning prayer. We can also dedicate some time during Lent to learning new prayers.
I have some beautiful prayers with free printable here at Happy Hearty Home if you are looking for more prayer resources:
Taking the time to pray during Lent can help us to stay mindful of God’s presence in our lives and to deepen our relationship with Him. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide us this Lent, so we can focus on our prayer life.
Lent is also a special time of year when we can prayerfully prepare for Divine Mercy Sunday – a commemoration and celebration of the infinite love and mercy of God as Catholics.
During this time, we can reflect on the mercy and love of God, and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our salvation. Pope Francis has said that Lent is a time for us to “open our heart to the Lord’s mercy” and to remind ourselves that “God never tires of forgiving us.”
2. Fasting
Fasting during Lent is a significant part of Christian practice. It is a way to draw closer to God and to remind ourselves of Jesus’ suffering on the cross.
Fasting can take on many forms, from abstaining from certain food or drink to abstaining from television or social media for a designated period of time.
Others practice the pious observance of silence, in which one abstains from speaking unless absolutely necessary. With a little creativity and intention, fasting as a unique form of self-denial can become a meaningful and spiritual experience.
By fasting, we are reminded of the importance of self-control and that we should not be slaves to our desires and wants.
Abstinence is another important part of Lenten observance that is related to fasting. Abstinence is the practice of abstaining from certain things, such as food, drink, or activities, in order to devote more time to spiritual practices.
For example, during Lent, some people choose to abstain from eating meat as a way to honor the suffering of Jesus during his passion. Abstinence can also be practiced in other ways, such as abstaining from alcohol or even social media.
Whatever form it takes, abstinence is an important part of Lenten’s observance, as it allows us to focus more on our faith and draw closer to God.
Will you be fasting and abstaining from certain things this Lent? Feel free to share your plans and thoughts in the comment section below!
3. Almsgiving
Almsgiving has been a part of Lenten’s observance and devotions for centuries. The concept of Lent almsgiving is giving your resources or 3Ts (treasure, time, or talent) to your neighbors, especially those who have less – an act of generosity that can transform our lives and the lives of those in need.
Some individuals choose to give alms to charity organizations working on behalf of the needy, while others prefer distributing them among their own family members or acquaintances.
Giving alms is a powerful act of selflessness, and it can help us to grow in our spiritual lives. By giving to those in need, we can open our hearts to those around us and experience the joy of giving.
Decluttering (the process of getting rid of things that are no longer necessary or useful) during Lent is another way to practice almsgiving.
During Lent, it is a good idea to go through our home and donate items that we no longer need or use. This would include clothing, furniture, appliances, toys, and books. Donating these items can help those in need and make our home less cluttered.
It can also be a way to reflect on how much we have and how we can use what we have to help others. Taking the time to declutter during Lent is a great way to give back and help those in need.
Our souls can benefit from almsgiving in many ways. It can help us to become more compassionate and humble, and to recognize our own weaknesses and limitations. It can also help us to become more aware of our blessings and to appreciate the gifts that God has given us.
Finally, almsgiving can help us to draw closer to God and to experience the peace that comes from knowing that we are helping to bring about positive change in our world. This Lent, let us open our hearts to those in need and experience the joy of almsgiving.
Three Important Pillars of Lent FAQs
What are the 3 pillars of Lent?
The 3 pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
How does the practice of the 3 pillars of Lent improve us even beyond the season of Lent?
The practice of the three pillars of Lent can improve us even beyond the season of Lent by helping us to become more aware of our faith, to open our hearts to those around us, and to experience the joy that comes from charity and self-sacrifice. Through prayer and fasting, we can develop greater self-control and a deeper connection to God. Through almsgiving, we can be reminded of our blessings and share these blessings with those in need. These practices can bring a sense of joy and fulfillment to our lives, as well as a greater appreciation for all that we have been given. Beyond Lent, they can help us to become more compassionate and generous people and better stewards of God’s gifts.
How does the practice of the 3 pillars of Lent improve us even beyond the season of Lent?
The practice of the three pillars of Lent can improve us even beyond the season of Lent by helping us to become more aware of our faith, to open our hearts to those around us, and to experience the joy that comes from charity and self-sacrifice. Through prayer and fasting, we can develop greater self-control and a deeper connection to God. Through almsgiving, we can be reminded of our blessings and share these blessings with those in need. These practices can bring a sense of joy and fulfillment to our lives, as well as a greater appreciation for all that we have been given. Beyond Lent, they can help us to become more compassionate and generous people and better stewards of God’s gifts.
Final Thoughts: The 3 Important Pillars of Lent
The three pillars of Lent – prayer, fasting, and almsgiving – are essential to our spiritual journey. They allow us to draw closer to God and to open our hearts and minds to His presence. As we practice these three pillars of Lent, let us remember that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.
Through our prayer and fasting, we can experience the joy of self-control and the peace that comes from being in communion with God. Through our almsgiving, we can receive the satisfaction that comes from knowing that we are sharing the blessings that God has given to us.
In our fast-paced world, let us take the time to reflect on the three pillars of Lent and practice them with intention and conviction. May our Lenten journey be a time of spiritual growth, renewal, and reflection.
