Have you looked up the meaning of the word "Lent"?
I did, and found: "the 40-day fast observed by the Christian church before Easter, which is the festival of our Savior's resurrection; an annual season of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday and lasting 40 weekdays until Easter Sunday."
Our family prays together each evening, and I add more time to my Bible study and send cards to our elderly friends and relatives for Lent.
Here are suggestions than can help you make Lent more meaningful:
•Pray for our country and leaders; not just federal and state, but also county commissioners, the mayor, city council, local judges, our school board, your children's teachers and the school administration.
•Pray for your pastors, priests and church leaders.
•Pray for your children and their friends.
•Pray for those in need, that the Lord will meet their daily needs.
•Pray for those who need food, clean water and shelter; for orphans in Africa who need families.
•Pray for Christians in non-Christian countries, that the Lord will shield and deliver them from harm.
•Pray for your extended family, for your friends and for those who need the Lord.
•Ask the Lord to guide you, and give generously to your church during this Lenten season.
What traditions do you and your family embrace? I would love to hear about them!
In the meantime, you can meditate during the Stations of the Cross, 6 p.m., Wednesdays, March 4, March 11, March 18 and March 25 at Epiphany Episcopal Church, 424 Garden St., Crestview.
Join walking in Christ's footsteps, leading up to Holy Week and His resurrection at Easter.
Janice Lynn Crose lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her brother, Robb; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HAPPENINGS: Ways to add prayers to your Lenten checklist