Biblical Reasons Why Lent is 40 Long Days.

Have you ever wondered why the Holy Season of Lent consists of 40 long days of prayer and fasting? 

Here are some of the Biblical significance of 40 days: 

IT IS A PERIOD OF SPIRITUAL CLEANSING. 

“Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made." -Genesis 7:4 

IT IS A PERIOD OF SPIRITUAL TESTING.

“Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” -Exodus 24:18

IT IS A PERIOD OF SPIRITUAL CHASTISEMENT.

“Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness.” -Numbers 14:33 

IT IS A PERIOD FOR SPIRITUAL PREPARATION.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. -Matthew 4:1-11