What is Lent & Ash Wednesday And Why Do Many Churches Not Observe it?

Back in high school, I remember some of my friends coming into school with a smudge on their forehead on Ash Wednesday. At the time, I was not sure what it meant or why we did not practice this in my church.

I also remember friends talking about giving up donuts, chewing gum or drinking soda for 40 days as a fast to the Lord and it interested me. I wanted to love God enough to sacrifice something for him too! But it wasn’t something traditionally practiced in my church and I didn’t know why.

So let’s talk about it!

What is Lent and How Did It Begin?

Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and repentance leading up to Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.

Traditionally, Sundays are not counted in the 40 days because they are considered a day of rest and celebration in honor of Christ’s resurrection.

How Did Lent Begin?

Lent has its roots in the early Christian Church, with practices dating back as early as the 4th century, when the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) mentioned a 40-day period of fasting in preparation for Easter.

The 40-day period is symbolic of: Jesus’ 40 days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).

Early Christians observed Lent by fasting from food or certain luxuries, dedicating themselves to prayer, repentance, acts of charity and spiritual disciplines as a way to draw closer to God.

Why Do Many Churches Not Observe Ash Wednesday?

Some evangelical churches in recent years have begun to practice Lent. But Many believers do not observe Ash Wednesday for several reasons, primarily due to theological beliefs and historical differences in church traditions.

Here are the main reasons why:

1. Ash Wednesday Is Not Explicitly in the Bible

Scripture is always to be our authority and because Ash Wednesday is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, some believe it is an unnecessary tradition. While fasting, repentance, and mourning over sin are biblical (e.g., Jonah 3:6, Matthew 6:16-18), the ritual of applying ashes is not a direct biblical command.

2. Concern About Works-Based Faith

As believers, we want to focus on our personal relationship with Jesus rather than religious rituals. Some believe that observing Ash Wednesday and Lent could become a works-based practice, where people focus more on outward symbols (such as ashes on the forehead) rather than true heart transformation.

3. Rejection of Liturgical Traditions

Historically, many evangelical churches emerged from the Protestant Reformation, which sought to break away from Liturgical traditions. Because Ash Wednesday and Lent were formalized before the reformation, some evangelicals have distanced themselves from these practices, viewing them as unnecessary or overly ritualistic.

4. Jesus Taught to Fast in Secret

In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus warns against fasting to be seen by others. Some believe that wearing ashes on the forehead contradicts this teaching, as it can be seen as a public display of piety rather than a personal act of devotion.

What Does Fish Have to Do With It?

Those who practice lent also eat fish on Fridays during Lent. This tradition goes back centuries and is rooted in both biblical symbolism and historical Church practice.

Why Fish Instead of Meat?

1. Meat was considered a luxury – In the early Church, eating meat was seen as a feast-worthy indulgence, while fish was viewed as a simpler, more humble food. Abstaining from meat was a form of sacrifice.
   
2. Biblical Symbolism – Fish plays an important role in Scripture. Jesus’ disciples were fishermen, and He miraculously multiplied loaves and fish to feed the multitudes (Matthew 14:13-21).
   
3. The fish symbol (Ichthys) was also an early Christian sign of faith.

Growing Interest in Lent

Despite these historical reasons, some believers today do observe Lent recognizing its value as a time of repentance and preparation for Easter. Many see it as an opportunity for deeper spiritual reflection and use it in a way that aligns with their faith convictions—without necessarily following all liturgical traditions.

What do believers who don’t observe Lent do?

Here are some of the meaningful ways believers prepare their hearts for Easter:

1. Bible Reading, Prayer and Worship

• Many believers spend extra time in personal or group Bible study leading up to Easter, focusing on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
• Some churches offer special sermon series or daily reading plans covering the Gospels, especially the Passion Week (the last week of Jesus’ life).
• Churches may hold special sunrise services, baptisms, prayer gatherings or worship nights thanking Jesus for His sacrifice and focusing on Jesus’ victory over sin and death.

2. Evangelism & Outreach

• Easter is a key time for evangelism. Many churches host community events, Easter egg hunts, or invite people to church services.
• Some share the gospel through special outreach campaigns, inviting friends and family to hear the Easter message.

3. Family & Personal Traditions

• Families often read Bible stories about Jesus’ death and resurrection together.
• Some use Easter devotionals, Resurrection Eggs, or Passover-style meals to teach children about Jesus’ sacrifice.

4. Optional Fasting & Personal Sacrifice

• While fasting is not required, some believers choose to give up a specific habit or food as a personal act of devotion (e.g., social media, sugar, coffee).
• Others focus on acts of service, like helping the needy or supporting missions.

5. Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday Services (Easter Celebration!)

• Many churches have Palm Sunday services marking the beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, as crowds of people laid palm branches on the road, shouting: “Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-10)
• Many churches hold Good Friday services to reflect on Jesus’ crucifixion.
• Easter Sunday celebrations are a time of joyful worship, songs of victory, and sermons about the resurrection.

Are you looking to grow closer to Jesus?

The Easter season is a time to slow down and fix our eyes on Jesus and remember the incredible depth of His love and sacrifice for us.

If you are looking for a way to grow closer to Jesus in these weeks leading up to Easter, I have created Hosanna in the Highest—a four-week Easter journal designed to guide you through Scripture, from Jesus’ birth to His resurrection.

What’s inside?

Each day includes a Bible reading, a devotional, a reflection question, and space for prayer, helping you draw closer to the Lord in a meaningful and intentional way.

You can do this on your own at your own pace or I’d love for you to join me on this journey as we begin reading together on Monday, March 24th!

For more details about how we will do this together –> GO HERE.

Let’s prepare together to celebrate our Risen King!

Walk with the King!
Courtney

Hosanna in the Highest 
is available exclusively on Amazon

If you’d like to purchase a printable-digital copy
(so you have it right away) at half the price
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