What Are Some Key Lenten Practices?

In the Anglican Church, Lent is a season of penitence, reflection, and spiritual renewal, traditionally observed over the 40 days leading up to Easter (excluding Sundays). Several spiritual practices are emphasized during this time to deepen one’s relationship with God and prepare for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Learn more below.

The Great Litany

This is a historic and comprehensive prayer of intercession and supplication, often used in Anglican worship during Lent. It dates back to the early church and was adapted by Thomas Cranmer for the Book of Common Prayer. The Great Litany is typically recited the First Sundays of Lent and Advent, and other penitential occasions. It calls for God’s mercy, deliverance from sin and evil, and protection for the church and world, making it a powerful communal and personal act of repentance.

Examinations of Conscience

This introspective practice involves reflecting on one’s thoughts, words, and actions to identify sins or shortcomings. Anglicans may use structured guides, such as those found in the Book of Common Prayer, or draw from the Ten Commandments, The Southwell Litany, The Litany of Penitence (from the Ash Wednesday Service), the Summary of the Law, or other moral teachings. This practice often accompanies confession, either privately to God, in the general confession during worship, or, for some, through the rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent (confession to a priest, also known as aural confession), and fosters self-awareness and repentance.

Fasting and Abstinence

Fasting is a traditional Lenten discipline, symbolizing self-denial and reliance on God. While less strict than in some traditions, Anglicans may fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and some choose to give up specific foods (like meat) or habits throughout Lent. Abstinence from luxuries or distractions, like sweets, alcohol, or excessive screen time, is also common, redirecting focus toward prayer and charity. In the “missing” of these earthly things, we are driven to find our comfort in Christ alone, who is the soul’s one true delight.

Prayer and Devotion

Lent encourages more intentional prayer, often through daily devotions or special services like Stations of the Cross, which meditate on Christ’s journey to the crucifixion. Morning and Evening Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer may take on a more penitential tone, with specific collects and readings assigned for the season.

Almsgiving

Giving to the poor or supporting charitable causes is a key Lenten practice, reflecting Christ’s call to love and serve others. Many Anglicans use Lent to recommit to generosity, often pairing it with the fruits of their fasting (e.g., donating money saved from abstaining).

Scripture Reading and Study

Lent often involves deeper engagement with the Bible, such as following a Lenten reading plan or participating in study groups. The lectionary readings for the season emphasize themes of repentance, sacrifice, and redemption, aligning with the journey toward Easter.

Attending Special Services

Beyond regular Sunday worship, Anglicans may kick off Lent with a Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner, attend Ash Wednesday services (with the imposition of ashes), midweek Lenten services, Stations of the Cross on Fridays, and Holy Week observances like Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. These liturgies intensify the spiritual focus of the season.

Self-Denial and Spiritual Disciplines

Beyond fasting, some take on additional disciplines—like silence, journaling, or acts of service—to cultivate humility and dependence on God. The goal is to strip away distractions and align one’s life more closely with Christ’s example.

These practices vary in emphasis across Anglican parishes, depending on whether they lean more “high church” (with greater ritual) or “low church” (with simpler, evangelical tones). Together, they create a rhythm of repentance, renewal, and preparation, rooted in Anglican tradition and the broader Christian call to observe a holy Lent.