"...As sinful humans looking for ways to please God on our own merit, we can easily fall into a trap of legalism and ritual. An equally dangerous trap is avoiding any discipline on our own that can help us grow in our Christlikeness. You might be more familiar with the broad, vague middle between these two extremes where someone “gives something up” for Lent, and many times the element being given up seems insignificant or trivial. None of these are good reasons for us to forego an opportunity to prepare our hearts for the worship of the resurrected Christ through the use of valid spiritual practices. The practices included in lent — fasting, prayer, and reflection — are all Biblical practices and spiritual disciplines. By employing these disciplines, believers can be strengthened in their faith..."
