Peace and blessings to the millions of believers in Christ who are choosing to give or sacrifice something they love for the 40 days of Lent. Lent is the 40-day period of preparation for Easter Sunday, the Christian holiday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It is believed that Lent is 40 days long for the 40 days Jesus spent wandering the desert fighting off Satan’s temptations. Another reason is the story from the Old Testament when the Israelites were wandering in the desert for 40 years.

As today is Ash Wednesday, ashes will be placed on foreheads in the shape of a cross. The cross is put on believer’s foreheads as a reminder of human mortality. “You are dust and to dust you will return.'”

Source: The Examiner