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It’s that time of year again where we think about what we can give up. Can we cut the chocolate or the caffeine? Other Christians choose to take some up - be it a regular daily prayer time, or visiting an elderly neighbour.
But the 40 days before Easter are not just about what we are giving or taking up. It’s also a time for us to think further about what the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection.
During Lent we will be looking at stories from other Christians of their experiences during Lent and their spiritual journeys. Watch, and listen to, stories of people coming to Christ and of letting go of things from their old lives.
What are Premier presenters giving up?
Tune in throughout the 40 days of Lent to hear what some of your favourites Premier presenters are giving up - or taking on - this year, and how they will cope! Journey with them as you abstain together, learning to lean on God instead of your caffeine fix or favourite television show!
Are we meant to ‘Lent’?
So, Lent is upon us once again.
All we seem to hear at this time of the year is people berating the fact that they have to give up chocolate or their daily cappuccino. Facebook newsfeeds are full of these professions, even by our non-believing friends. Some giving up facebook itself, ironically.
So Lent has merged with a secular dieting-come-money-saving purge it would seem.
And the focus is less on Shrove Tuesday - followed by the prayerful Lent lead-up to Easter Sunday, and more on Pancake Day - followed by a crash diet before Easter Eggday.
But as Christians, does the Bible require us to follow Lent? Are we to literally follow Jesus' example in the desert?
Do we need to reclaim it as a religious rite? Or is it, like the abandoned lemons on the shelf after the pancake panic, a bit past its sell-by date?
More for you this Lent
Make Lent count this year in a fresh way by joining Christian Aid on the Count Your Blessings journey and supporting some of the poorest communities in the world.
Tearfund is running Carbon Fast again for Lent. It runs from 22nd February to 7th April and is an opportunity for individulas and churches to consider climate justice issues and personal action on climate change.
Father John Twisleton examines matters of faith in this excellent and honest series on the character of Jesus.
LENTfest is the annual Arts Festival which takes place during Lent, run by the Archdiocese of Glasgow Arts Project. Tune in to Premier during Lent to listen to content related to the festival.
Take time to reflect each weekday, as Micha Jazz brings you a daily devotional at both 12.05pm and 10.20pm.
Let The Big Bible Project help you to engage with the Bible in new ways, including housegroup material, blog posts and commentary from reknowned theologian Tom Wright.
Stewardship is inviting Christians to do their bit in changing the world this Lent.
The charity is asking Christians to take up the 40acts challenge and create a movement of generosity. The challenge is to "do Lent generously" this year by taking part in 40 acts of generosity over 40 days, some of which might focus on community engagement, the environment, or stepping out from personal comfort zones. Ideas can be big and small, from inviting a neighbour to church or sending a thank you note, to helping someone to learn a new skill or picking up litter around the neighbourhood.