Lent is a Catholic practice isn't it? This is an interesting topic in itself because my Catholic friend is perfectly ok with drinking herself into oblivion just about every weekend but has "given up" alcohol for Lent because she thinks it will win her brownie points in Heaven. Don't get me wrong, I love her dearly and pray for her daily, I just think it's funny (not haha funny) how hypocritical this tradition is.
Don't mean to offend anyone, just stating an opinion is all.
many protestants also observe lent. not as a ritual, or to win brownie points, but as a way of mastering their own fleshly desires. last year i gave up nagging. it did wonders for my relationship with God AND with my husband.
this year i'm giving up the computer and tv in the mornings until after i've finished my bible studying.
it takes 30 days to break a bad habit. 40 days is long enough to exchange a bad habit for a good one that lasts the whole year long.
Christians call this fasting tho, don't they? I think my feelings are mixed because I think we should live as Christians (or Catholics, if that is your preference) all the time and not just at certain times of the year. All I was saying.