What you should know about Lent

Lent is a season of the Christian year that occurs during the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday (excluding Sundays). The word “Lent” comes from the Old English word lencten, which means “springtime,” and it is a time when Christians focus on spiritual renewal and growth. Lent is seen as a time of fasting, prayer, and penance, which allows Christians to reflect on our own mortality and the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross.

The 40-day period of Lent is also symbolic of the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry. During this time, Jesus fasted and prayed, and was tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:1-11).

For centuries, Christians have used this time to reflect on their own temptations and struggles and to draw closer to God through prayer and fasting.

How is your church responding to a post-Roe world?

The Dobbs decision marks a true turning point in the pro-life movement — a moment that Christians, pro-life advocates and many others have worked toward tirelessly for 50 years. As we respond to the ruling in this case, we want to be faithful to pray.

This free Dobbs prayer guide contains a list of 48 specific prayer requests to guide you, your family, and your church in your prayers over the coming weeks and months.

This Week in Washington, D.C.

This week, the ERLC submitted public comments against a proposed rule from the Department of Education that would weaken protections for faith-based groups on campus and limit their ability to fully participate in student life without compromising their religious beliefs.

Religious groups on campus play an important role in forming students and contributing to campus life. Students’ rights to express their faith and live in congruence with their conscience and faith is a fundamental bedrock of American life and does not end when they cross on to campus property.

By removing existing protections, the rights of students to freely exercise their faith may be eroded by a school administration that finds the tenets of a group’s faith as incongruent with the cultural mores of the day. This is especially worrisome for minority groups, whose deeply held religious beliefs may not align with the prevailing beliefs of the secular institution.

You can read more about this rule and ERLC’s opposition here.

Featured Podcasts

In this episode, Lindsay talks with Dana Hall McCain about her career as a writer, the intersection of faith and public policy, and how Christians can contribute to a healthy public square. They also discuss social media, pro-life issues, and what’s important for Southern Baptists in this particular culture.

From The Public Square

States’ divisions on abortion widen after Roe overturned
Associated Press

Last year’s overturning of the 1973 Roe decision meant that state laws banning or restricting abortion if such a ruling arrived took effect. Many were met with legal challenges. Currently, bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy are in place in 13 states and on hold in another four because of court injunctions.

Kids in Utah will need parents’ OK to access social media
Associated Press

Children and teens in Utah would lose access to social media apps such as TikTok if they don’t have parental consent and face other restrictions under a first-in-the-nation law designed to shield young people from the addictive platforms.

From drag shows to pronouns: Florida GOP takes aim at LGBTQ issues
Politico

The GOP-controlled Florida Legislature last year approved a contentious law on gender identity and sexual orientation in school — but this year it aims to go further.

GOP lawmakers override veto of transgender bill in Kentucky
Associated Press

Republican lawmakers in Kentucky on Wednesday swept aside the Democratic governor’s veto of a bill regulating some of the most personal aspects of life for transgender young people — from banning access to gender-affirming health care to restricting the bathrooms they can use.

What You Need to Read

Hannah Daniel with Department of Education weakens protections for religious groups on campus

On Feb. 22, 2023, the Department of Education (ED) released a proposed rule related to the free exercise and free speech of faith-based organizations on college campuses. This new rule rescinds two provisions of the 2020 Trump-era ?Free Inquiry Rule? which expanded First Amendment freedoms in ED higher education grant programs. On Friday, the ERLC filed public comments in opposition to the change.

Joe Carter with 5 facts about Good Friday and Easter

This week marks the two holiest days on the Christian calendar, Good Friday and Easter. Here are five facts you should know about these days of religious observance.

Jordan Wootten with What role does family play in changing the culture?

American culture is in crisis. Anyone looking around can see it. Even within the church, divisions, vitriol, and malfeasance are common on any number of issues, including race, sexual abuse, and politics. Recognizing that we’re at a crisis point, we must be involved in legislation and advocacy efforts. But what if true culture change occurs in another way entirely? What if it begins not in the public square, but in our homes and churches?