Lent is a week away. As observed in contemporary Christianity, it is a time for renewed focus on one’s spiritual life, an opportunity to explore more deeply Christian faith and to enter more deeply into one’s relationship with Jesus Christ. Many people adopt spiritual disciplines during the period of Lent, fasting or “giving something up.” Others take on spiritual disciplines–reading, a more regular prayer life, or making a retreat. The internet offers many innovative ways of observing Lent. Here are some I’ve found (I’ll continue to update this post in the coming week or so as I learn of new sites).

Lent Madness (Here’s a description of it; and here’s coverage of it from USA Today)

From Episcopal Relief and Development

The Huffington Post collected wonderful materials related to Lent last year. You can visit that site here. We hope they will do the same in 2013.

The Daily Office for your computer; and for your smartphone: St. Bede’s Breviary

Busted Halo’s online Lenten Calendar for 2013

Daily videos from the Society of St. John the Evangelist

And a plan for daily readings from the Church Fathers for the 40 days of Lent

From Nadia Bolz Weber: House of All Sinners and Saints’ 40 Ideas for Keeping a Holy Lent

From Episcopal Charities and Community Services (Diocese of Chicago): A Lenten Devotional Calendar