Lent is a period of 40 days of preparation for the celebration of the Lords Resurrection at Easter. It is observed in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Oriental Orthodox, Church of the East, United Protestant, and Roman Catholic traditions of Christianity. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday, which is 40 days later, excluding Sundays. During Lent, Christians seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture, serve by giving alms, and practice self-control through fasting. The three main things people focus on during Lent are prayer, fasting (abstaining from something to reduce distractions and focus more on God), and giving or charity. Christians are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent but also to a true inner conversion of heart as they seek to follow Christs will more faithfully. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving, simple living, and self-denial. Lent is a period of reflection and asking for forgiveness, and when Christians prepare to celebrate Jesuss resurrection at the feast of Easter, which comes at the very end of Lent.