Lent for Evangelicals

Lent is traditionally seen as a time of self-
torment and asceticism (http://tr.im/gLxW). A true ascetic would
probably look unfavorably on our American eating and entertainment
habits. In the evangelical church, asceticism is not really seen as a
part of Christian living and therefore Lent is not something regularly
observed, talked about, or even mentioned. "Isn't Lent what
undershirts leave in your bellybutton?" Right.

However, our church has recognized that there is such a thing as Lent
this year, l a booklet leading us to pray for revival in these
forty days. I have been thinking about what possible connection there
could be between Lent and praying for revival. Lent is traditionally
a time of introspection and abstinence. What does that have to do
with praying for revival?

Here's my assessment. There actually is a good connection between the
two, but it really depends on your definition of revival.

1. Revival: "a reawakening of religious fervor, esp. by means of a
series of evangelistic meetings."
2. Revival: "a restoration of... life or consciousness."

The first is focused on two things: fervor and meetings. That kind of
revival, unfortunately, has become the quiet dream of many evangelicals.

The second revival simply talks about life. Something is dead or
unconscious and needs to be revived. The need is assumed in the
beginning of the word: "re". Something needs life again. In this
sense of the word, revival fits very well with Lent. If we do not set
aside serious time to abstain from things like food and entertainment,
we will never notice if, spiritually, we are unconscious. I am not
praying for fervor; it is that very religious fervor that has often
blinded me to my own deficiency... that kind of fervor that is best
expressed in evangelistic meetings. During Lent, our fervor should
be humbly seeking to be slapped in the face, to be woken back up from
lethargy. The monks and ascetics did get one thing right: true
revival begins in quietness.