Lent is a period of fasting and repentance for Christians in preparation for the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is generally thought to last for forty days just as Jesus spent fasting between being baptized and beginning His public ministry. Every Friday during Lent, Catholics eat no meat.

Observing Lent began in the fourth century of the church. Originally, Lent was the time to prepare for baptism during the Easter Vigil, a time to study the Bible and a time for prayer.

The color used in the sanctuary for most of Lent is purple, red violet, or dark violet. These colors symbolize pain and suffering. Purple is also the color of royalty that symbolizes Jesus' Second Coming as King.

Some churches have a special time of prayer or meditation one night of each week during Lent. Often Catholic and high church traditions pray the Stations of the Cross. Some Protestant churches have a special series of Bible studies followed by a time of meditation and prayer.