Looking for a book or devotional to use during Lent? Below are our recommendations:

  • Pauses for Lent by Trevor Hudson (A daily devotional for Lent)

  • Listen to Him by J.D. Walt (A daily devotional for Lent)

  • Altar’d by Susan O. Kent (A daily devotional for Lent)

  • Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson (A 40-day prayer devotional)

  • The Good of Giving Up by Aaron Damiani (A great book about Lent and how to practice it.)

  • Lent by Esau McCaulley (A book about Lent and its place in the Church calendar.) 

What is Lent?

Lent is a season of spiritual preparation in which we remember Christ’s temptation, suffering, and death. Lent is a traditional time for Christians to draw closer to Jesus through prayer, reflection, fasting, and repentance. Here are a few simple ideas for keeping this ancient Christian observance.

How long is the season of Lent?

Historically, the church has celebrated Lent as a 40-day period beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding the day before Easter. The climax of Lent is Holy Week, which is the week immediately preceding Easter, or Resurrection Sunday. It is observed in many Christian churches as a time to commemorate the last week of Jesus’ life, his suffering (Passion), and his death, through various observances and services of worship.

How can I participate in Lent this year?

Many Christians use the 40 days of Lent as a journey of drawing closer to the Lord through prayer, fasting, repentance, and self-denial. “What are you doing for Lent?” is a common question among Christians this time of the year. With Ash Wednesday upon us, perhaps you are beginning to think and pray about how you will spend your time during the sacrificial season of Lent.

When does it start and end? What about Sundays?

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14th, and ends on Saturday, March30th, the day before Easter. Sundays during Lent are considered “Feast Days” that are set aside during the Lent season to celebrate and delight in God’s goodness. All the Lenten fasts are paused on Sunday and resume the following Monday. Sundays during Lent are very important. Where the Mondays—Saturdays of each of the six weeks are concerned with fasting and abstaining, Sunday is a celebration symbolic of Christ’s resurrection.

Below are 10 ways you can walk with Jesus through Lent towards Easter:

  1. Reflect on the Cross
    Reflect daily on the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the meaning of his death on the cross, and the greatness of God’s love for you.

  2. Pray Daily
    Set aside some extra time each day during the season of Lent for personal prayer in the morning and evening.

  3. Read the Bible
    Make time every day to read your Bible during Lent. One idea is to read the entire Gospel of Mark, which has a special focus on the cross.

  4. Give Something Up
    A common practice for Lent is to give up something—like technology, social media, sweets, coffee, alcohol, etc. This is a great time to detox from things that may have a stronghold in your life.

  5. Start a Good Habit
    In addition to giving something up, try doing something good this Lent. Are you a pessimist? Try to be more positive. Are you critical by nature? Make an effort to be more encouraging. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

  6. Give Your Time
    During Lent, give of your time by volunteering in your church or local community.

  7. Keep a Journal
    Keeping a journal of your thoughts, prayers, and reflections during Lent can be a helpful aid to your Lenten journey.

  8. Make Time for Your Family
    If you have kids, plan special times just for them during Lent. Take your family hiking or on a lunch date, or even have a family day where you can serve together in the community.

  9. Give Generously
    During Lent, consider where you might give generously to help the poor and those in need.

  10. Forgive Others
    Lent is a time to make things right in your life and relationships. Is there a person in your life you need to forgive? Don’t hold that resentment any longer. Pray about it and ask God to help you forgive them.