Are you giving something up for Lent? If so, what? Why?

As a family we are giving up tv. During this time we will pray for our family members who are not believers and then play a family game. Monopoly tonight!

A few months ago, I was given a view of myf family's future as sort of a "promised land" by God.  When the time comes, this would surely be a huge blessing for my family, as God always intends to show favor on his children who seek his face.  I've noticed since the promise was shown, that this issue has overwhelmed my every move.  So for Lent this year, I've decided to not speak of the promise or dwell on it and focus my seeking and attention on God as I had.  When it's His time for my family to reach our "Canaan", God will do his thing.  For the next 40 days, I look forward to growing and seeking God

I am focusing on not only what to give up for lent but what i am doing for christ because the whole point of lent is to accompany Christ to calvary, be his consolation for those who act indifferent to his death for us. And for each one personally. I am working hard on putting the greatest effort in my prayer life, trying to overcome distractions not to say that they wont come but to not let them lead my prayer, I am fasting for this whole period, and going against my will and offering a 2 mile run everyday to Christ.. and making a special sacrifice every friday and a hidden act of charity to someone everyday.

I grew up Catholic and 3 years ago starting going to Evagelistic Pentecostal church.  

Growing up, Lent would always be about "giving up" something for 40 days and not eating meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday.  It was a chore.  

Now that I am older I see things a little bit differently.  I now understand the sacrifice imbedded in the "chore." At our church, we have 40 days of fasting and prayer at the beginning of the year.  I believe it to be the same concept as Lent.

I like to think outside of the box, so instead of giving something up, why not do a SERVICE everyday for someone or something.  It doesn't always have to be about what we're not doing, but why not TO DO SOMETHING?!?

Does it have to be giving up ONE THING, like ice cream?  How about giving up GOSSIP and DOING devotional prayer every morning and evening?

I have not thought of giving anything up for Lint before.  I was raised in church but not with Lint.  Listening to you guys I think I will give up "sweets" for the month.  Is that a good one or is there something else that is better?

I am giving up NON-Christian Romance Books for Lent.  I know that it's an area that God has been laying on my heart.  The things that seem okay for the secular relationships portrayed in those books are not what I want to base my relationships on.  I want to base them on God.  I'm planning on spending the time that I would normally be reading those books in my Bible instead.

I have decided to do lent this year. I am just a teenager in high school but I wanna have my life completely focused on a God that loves me so much and carries me through all this. I have decided to give up chocolate because use to when me or any of my friends were upset we would bring each other chocolate and have a venting session. I don't do these as often because I turn to an awesome God that loves and listens.

Scott & Kelli !

I cannot believe you are even discussing this subject of "Lent".

We are under a "NEW COVENANT"....Grace! We are not bound, under or in any way shape of form connected to OLD COVENANT LAW.

Romans 10:4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Eph 2.15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,



Col 2. 20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:



13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.[e]

Freedom From Human Rules

16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

B Jesus was born under and taught the law. His primary ministry was to the Jewish people. Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Matthew 10:5-7 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Discussing

I'm giving up FACEBOOK! I can waste so many  hours on that thing and look forward to spending many hours outside, enjoying God's creation face to face!

Hi dear friends: You know for years I gave up chocolate up during lent. Last year after many years trying to know Jesus better, He told me that giving up chocolate didn't really change anything in my life. So I decided that for lent I was not going to be judgemental. WOW! I discover I do that all the time. It was a very difficult lent, but At Easter I felt like i have remove a big load from my soul. So with the help of Jesus I want to try that again. Peace

For Lent I will be praying more and devoting my time to reading and meditating on the Bible. It is fine for the forty days, but what we must remember is that not only the 40 days but for the entire year. Especially if what ever it is that you give up for Lent draws you closer to God and makes you a better person to have a better relationship with our brothers and sisters.

Instead of giving something up, I have decided to ADD something during Lent.  I am going to set aside more time for prayer.  I am going to go to Mass at least one more time during the week to receive the precious Eucharist - what a gift.  Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.  While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.  So maybe I am really GIVING UP some of my free time, by adding more time in prayer and reflection.  

I'm a 7th grader from Denver and i'm giving up t.v.. I'll use this time (that I'd usually watch t.v.) to read the bible. This helps me not only to take something out of my life (t.v.) but add something (the bible).

We don't HAVE to celebrate Lent, it is a choice, we are not under any law.  I do it willingly to relate more closely to Christ & what He did for me, in a very small way.

I have really learned the benefit of fasting as a form of prayer since my 2 sons went into the military.  I gave up coffee (my absolute favortite drink in the world!) while they are deployed.  Everytime I smell that coffee brewing in the morning and deny myself that cup, it reminds of their sacrifice while serving and reminds me to pray for them at that moment.  In the same way, during Lent, everytime I deny myself what I have given up - that piece of chocolate or ice cream or whatever - it reminds me of the sacrifice Jesus made for me and to be present to Him at that moment.

My best friend Theresa and I are working together to give up being mean and rude to other kids at our school. We are in seventh grade and we really want to have a "clean slate" with christ. We are wearing rubberbands and evrey time we slip up, we flick ourselves. We hope that by the end of lent we will be kind out of habit instead of force.

I am giving up junk food/ sweets. I am trying to keep my body healthy because it is a temple that God has given me. I love junk food and I know that it is takin away from the time that I can have with God.

  I so proud of you all for giving up something during this time.    Just remember  that this a way of living not for a certain time but as a lifestyle!!  We must do what ever it takes to get make our relationship with him strong.   That is why I never base anything on the traditions of religion or church!!  If Christ tole me to give up something then I give it up. So when someone asks me are you giving up something  for lent I say no I am giving up something for Christ.  That is why me and my family do not do Eastern or lent because we just do not follow the traditions of man!   Jesus never did Eastern nor did he do Christmas.  What Jesus did was show us that laying our lives down and  giving is a daily lifestyle!   Let us remember that we do not go to church but are part of the   universal church (family) of God!!!     God lives within the hearts of man not in the churches, doctrines, and traditions of man.    Just  always remind yourself that  laying our life down and giving up things for Christ  is a daily walk!  I am so happpy that you guys are seeking God right now!  Just do not do it because of it is the time of Eastern.   Each day should be Eastern and every day should be Christmas.  I love you all!!! Thankyou guys for giving something up for Christ!!!

Every Lent I tried "doing" something instead of "giving up" something because I thought that would be more of a sacrifice for me, such as spending more time in prayer or attending mass more often. But then I realized I started picking things to do that weren't really much of a sacrifice for me, more of things that I enjoyed. So this Lent I'm giving up Facebook and Twitter, two things that I spend the majority of my day on, refreshing over and over. With this extra time that I don't spend online I can now listen to more KLOVE, spend time with my family, and more time in prayer.

For lent I am giving up Facebook. I am almost 20 and it has been a huge distraction in my life. Instead of focusing on God I have been focusing it on Facebook and what other people are doing. I am hoping that this time away from Facebook will allow me to refocus on God and become even closer to him because He is everything I could possibly need. =)

I read the post above about the new covenant - and just want to say, hey, why not take some time to pick one area of your life to really focus on spending more time with God?  That's what Lent means to me.  I have "given up" facebook so that I can replace the time I spend on there in prayer - REALLY being social with God, rather than social media.  It's something I look forward to every year and when Easter comes, I feel so much closer to the Father.

I never used to believe in giving up something for Lent until about a week ago. I thought that nothing I had to give was good enough to sacrifice to the Father of all Creation. And I was right, but I was moved very deeply the Sunday before Lent. The Lord spoke to me about worrying. The verses were mentioned where Jesus spoke about how we do not need to worry about the clothes we will wear or the food we will eat, because God will always provide. Although I never had a problem worrying about those things, I have let my fears consume me. My fear of losing those that I love, losing my job, and even losing my direction in life. God spoke to me that day and told me that Lent is about giving up those things that would seperate me from Him. And my fears were definately doing that. So, for Lent I've given up worrying. Everytime I feel fear creeping in I put a quarter in a little box I carry around and say out loud the verse in Timothy that says "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind." At the end of Lent, I plan to turn in the quarters and make a large donation to a charity! I sincerely hope this Lent goes well and causes me to become closer to my Heavenly Father.

I'm giving up FOOD.  Yes, food.  From sunrise until sunset, I will only be eating bread and water, everyday until Easter (with the exception of Sundays).  My girlfriend and I are doing it again this year for the second time.  It is a challenge, but it is also very rewarding.

I'm giving up Ale-8!
You Kentucky people know what I mean!!!

Were giving up cable, we need to focus on whats coming in the house, because lately disrespect has been coming out of my kids mouth. So no more ICarley, disney teen shows, for the kids, and no more suspense shows for mom. I am praying I will use my time better too. PS, thanks klove for the only christian music challenge, we did that in January, and now we dont listen to rock/roll in the car anymore, it has helped with chaos a bit in the car, and i am impressed my kids can sing most of the christian songs on your station.

I LOVE POSITIVE CHANGE!!!!

We had a great Lent service on Ash Wensday. Our Pastor pointed out that every year, we give something up. Like coffee, sugar, chocolate, TV, internet, facebook, etc, etc. But, he pointed out that, that really didn't do anything to help us grow closer to God. Chances are, chocolate isn't going to hurt your relationship with Him. But... what if we gave up ourselves for Lent this year? What if we gave up ourselves instead of chocolate? And made it our goal to grow closer to Him