Rethinking Lent: It’s Not About Doing More, It’s About Transformation

We begin Lent every year with the best of intentions. We tell ourselves, This time, I’m going to do it right. We plan to attend more services, pray longer, fast better, give more. But a few weeks in, we feel overwhelmed, and exhausted.

What if we’ve been thinking about Lent the wrong way?

Lent isn’t about adding more to your plate—it’s about clearing space for transformation.

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During each fasting period—especially Lent—there are four key areas we should focus on: prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and religious study. These aren’t meant to be burdens but invitations. Even small, intentional efforts in these areas can bring real spiritual growth, regardless of whether they feel ‘perfect.’

Instead of seeing Lent as a long to-do list, let’s shift our mindset. Let’s focus on small, meaningful acts that draw us closer to Christ.

Now please keep in mind, I am not a priest, and definitely not an expert. I am just giving out some helpful information that I’ve learned along the way.

Please take these tips with a grain of salt. Ultimately, you should be consulting with your priest to determine your own personal prayer and fasting rules.

Prayer: Deepening Your Connection with God

Lent is a time to reignite our relationship with God by setting aside distractions and making space for Him. Prayer isn’t just about asking for things—it’s about deepening our trust, learning to listen, and aligning our hearts with God’s will.

During Lent, prayer helps us:

• Reconnect with God when we’ve been spiritually distant.
• Strengthen our faith in the face of struggles and temptations.
• Find peace in repentance, knowing that God’s mercy is always available.
• Prepare our hearts for Pascha, so we don’t just go through the motions but experience true renewal.

Common Mistakes with Prayer

A common mistake is trying to add long, complicated prayers but feeling overwhelmed. It’s easy to think that “more” prayer means “better” prayer, but that often leads to burnout.

Many people start Lent by committing to long prayer rules or multiple Akathists, only to give up after a few days. When prayer feels like an exhausting obligation rather than a source of renewal, it becomes discouraging.

Instead of focusing on length, focus on consistency and sincerity. A simple, heartfelt prayer said with attention and love is more powerful than a rushed, distracted, or overwhelming prayer routine.

How to Keep It Simple & Meaningful:

• If you miss a prayer time, don’t give up—just start again the next day.
• Start small: Five minutes of focused prayer is better than twenty minutes of distracted rushing.
• Use short but powerful prayers, like the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner).
• Pray at natural moments—while washing dishes, walking, or putting kids to bed.
• Set a realistic goal, like morning and evening prayers, and build from there.

Simple Ways to build on prayer during Lent:

• Say the Jesus Prayer daily (even just 10 times!).
• Set a morning or evening prayer routine (even if it’s just 5 minutes).
• Light a candle and pray for someone who has hurt you.
• Attend one extra church service each week.

You can find prayers for every kind of situation online. A great resource that I use is the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Fasting: More Than Just Food

Fasting is not just about giving things up—it’s about training our will and making space for God. Fasting is often misunderstood as just a list of forbidden foods, but its real purpose goes much deeper.

It’s a tool for self-discipline, spiritual clarity, and dependence on God. When we fast, we are reminded that our physical desires shouldn’t control us—we should master them instead.

Fasting Helps Us:

• Train our willpower – If we can say no to small things (like certain foods), we can learn to say no to bigger temptations.
• Clear out distractions – Less focus on food can mean more focus on prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth.
• Develop gratitude – We realize how much we take food (and other comforts) for granted.
• Unite with the Church – Orthodox Christians around the world fast together, reminding us that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves.
• Prepare our hearts for Pascha – Just as we train our bodies for endurance, fasting trains our souls to truly celebrate the Resurrection.

Fasting Isn’t Just About Food

 It’s also about giving up sinful habits that keep us from God. While we abstain from meat and dairy, we should also strive to fast from:

• Gossip and harsh words
• Excessive screen time and distractions
• Selfishness and impatience

Fasting is a gift, not a punishment. It’s a way to reorient our hearts toward Christ, teaching us that our true nourishment comes from Him alone.

Common Mistake with Fasting

Treating fasting like a diet instead of a spiritual discipline. It’s easy to approach fasting with a diet mindset—focusing on what we can’t eat, searching for new plant-based recipes, or worrying about how to stay full.

But fasting isn’t about finding substitutes or just adjusting our meal plans—it’s about training the soul, not just the body.

Signs You Might Be Stuck in a Diet Mentality:

• Obsessing over vegan versions of your favorite meals instead of simplifying food.
• Worrying more about nutrition and protein intake than prayer and repentance.
• Feeling proud of how well you’re fasting rather than seeing it as an offering to God.
• Thinking of fasting as a burden rather than a spiritual tool for growth.

How to Reframe Fasting as a Spiritual Discipline:

• Keep meals simple – Instead of just swapping ingredients, eat humbly and focus on gratitude.
• Use hunger as a reminder to pray – When you crave something, turn that moment into prayer or self-reflection.
• Fast with your heart, not just your stomach – Pair fasting with kindness, patience, and self-control.
• Don’t overcomplicate it – The goal isn’t to cook elaborate “Lenten” meals but to detach from overindulgence.
• Remember the purpose – Fasting isn’t about restriction—it’s about creating space for God.

At its core, fasting is an invitation to rely less on food and more on Christ. When we shift our focus from “What am I eating?” to “How is this bringing me closer to God?”, we experience true spiritual transformation.

Simple Ways to Build on Fasting

• Fast from negativity, gossip, or complaining, not just food.
• Keep meals simple and intentional—focus on gratitude instead of fancy recipes.
• Offer up small sacrifices (like skipping sugar in coffee) as a reminder to pray.
• Use fasting as a reminder for prayer—whenever you feel hunger, turn to God.
  

If you’re in need of new recipes and ideas for fasting, check out my post Fasting Recipes and Meal Ideas for the Orthodox Christian.

Almsgiving: The Hidden Power of Kindness

Almsgiving softens our hearts and teaches us generosity. Fasting and prayer help us turn inward, but almsgiving turns us outward—toward our neighbors, our communities, and those in need.

It’s easy to become absorbed in our own struggles, but almsgiving reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God, meant to be shared.

How Almsgiving Transforms Us:

• It teaches humility – Recognizing the needs of others helps us let go of pride and self-centeredness.
• It breaks attachment to money and possessions – Instead of hoarding, we learn to trust in God’s provision.
• It makes us more like Christ – Jesus constantly gave to others—his time, his love, his very life.
• It reminds us that we are all connected – When we help others, we build the Body of Christ and reflect His love in the world.

Many people think of almsgiving as donating money, but it can be so much more. True generosity means giving from the heart, whether through time, resources, or kindness.

Here are some ways to practice almsgiving beyond financial giving:

Time – Visit someone who is lonely, help an overwhelmed mother, or volunteer at church.

Words – Offer encouragement, speak kindly, and pray for those who are struggling.

Acts of service – Make a meal for someone, run errands for an elderly neighbor, or babysit for a friend.

Forgiveness – One of the greatest acts of charity is letting go of resentment and choosing mercy.

Almsgiving isn’t just about giving things away—it’s about becoming a more generous person. By softening our hearts toward others, we reflect God’s love and prepare ourselves to receive His mercy in return.

Common Mistake in Almsgiving

When we hear “almsgiving,” we often think it means donating money to a good cause. While financial giving is important, true almsgiving goes beyond writing a check or dropping spare change in a donation box. It’s about putting love into action, offering whatever we have to those in need.

Signs You Might Be Limiting Almsgiving to Money:

• Feeling like you “can’t afford” to give, so you don’t participate.
• Thinking that almsgiving is only for people with extra resources.
• Giving money but not taking time to personally help others.
• Forgetting that generosity includes our time, talents, and attention.

How to Practice Almsgiving in Everyday Life:

• Offer your time – Spend time with someone who is lonely, visit a nursing home, or call a friend who is struggling.
• Use your talents – Cook a meal for someone in need, knit hats for the homeless, or offer free babysitting to a stressed parent.
• Give your presence – Sometimes, people don’t need money—they need a listening ear, a kind word, or a helping hand.
• Share your resources – Donate food, clothes, or household items to someone who needs them.
• Forgive debts—both financial and emotional – Let go of grudges, be patient with difficult people, and show mercy.

Almsgiving isn’t just about giving things—it’s about giving ourselves. When we offer love in action, we reflect God’s generosity toward us.

True almsgiving isn’t measured by how much we give, but by the love with which we give it.

Simple Ways to build Almsgiving

• Perform a secret act of kindness each week.
• Donate an item you love to someone in need.
• Call or visit someone who is lonely.
• Be more patient with your family—even when it’s hard.

Religious Study: Growing in Faith

We can’t grow spiritually if we don’t nourish our minds and hearts with truth. Just as our bodies need food and water to survive, our souls need spiritual nourishment to grow.

Without it, our faith becomes weak, and we can easily fall into confusion, doubt, or distraction. Lent is a time to be intentional about filling our hearts and minds with truth so that we can draw closer to Christ.

How Learning Nourishes Our Souls:

Deepens our faith – The more we learn about God, the stronger our relationship with Him becomes.

Guards us against falsehood – When we fill our minds with truth, we are less likely to be misled by secular influences or distorted teachings.

Inspires us to live faithfully – Scripture, the lives of the saints, and the teachings of the Church show us how to live out our faith in real, tangible ways.

Transforms our hearts – True spiritual growth isn’t just about knowing more—it’s about becoming more like Christ.

Ways to Nourish Your Mind and Heart During Lent:

Read Scripture daily – Even just a few verses can recenter your heart on God’s truth.

Study the lives of the saints – Their struggles and victories give us encouragement and wisdom.

Listen to Orthodox podcasts or sermons – Turn daily chores into learning opportunities.

Join a Bible study or Psalter group – Reading Scripture and praying the Psalms with others helps deepen our faith and understanding while strengthening our sense of community.

Replace distractions with meaningful content – Instead of scrolling on social media, read a spiritual book or listen to a faith-based talk.

 If we spend Lent consuming the same entertainment, conversations, and distractions as usual, we miss out on an opportunity to grow. When we make an effort to fill our hearts with truth, we begin to see the world differently—through the light of Christ.

Common Mistake in Religous Study

Thinking religious study means long, academic readings instead of simple daily learning. Many people assume that spiritual study means diving into complex theology books or scholarly essays, which can feel overwhelming—especially for busy parents, working professionals, or those new to deeper study. But religious study doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming to be meaningful. The goal isn’t to become an academic—it’s to grow in faith and draw closer to Christ.

Signs You Might Be Overcomplicating It:

You feel guilty for not reading dense theological texts.

You start a big book but quickly give up because it’s too hard to follow.

You think short readings or simple reflections “don’t count” as real study.

You delay learning altogether because you don’t have time for long study sessions.

Simple Ways to Study Your Faith Daily:

• Read one chapter of Scripture a day – Even a few verses can give you wisdom to reflect on.
• Join a Psalter group – Praying the Psalms in community deepens understanding and devotion.
• Choose a short spiritual book – Start with something practical, like the sayings of the Church Fathers or writings of the saints.
• Listen to Orthodox podcasts or homilies – A great way to learn while driving, cooking, or cleaning.
• Follow the daily readings of the Church – The Epistle and Gospel readings offer insight and encouragement.
• Reflect on what you read – Instead of just absorbing information, think about how it applies to your life.

The key to meaningful spiritual learning isn’t reading the hardest books—it’s developing a habit of daily study, no matter how small. Over time, these little efforts add up and transform our hearts and minds.

Simple Ways to Build Religious Study

Read about one saint each week and reflect on their life.

Choose a short Gospel passage each day and meditate on it.

Listen to an Orthodox podcast while cooking or driving.

Keep a Lenten journal to write down thoughts and prayers.

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Small Actions, Big Transformation

Lent isn’t about checking off boxes—it’s about transforming our hearts through small, intentional habits. Choose just 3-5 small challenges each week (like those in the Weekly Lenten Challenge Sheet that is available on this post to download for FREE!). Focus on progress, not perfection—even small efforts bring spiritual growth.

QUESTION: What tips do you have for people struggling with Lent?

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