Welcome to our landing page for all things Lent! Here, you'll find our digital Lent bible reading plan, as well as important information about the purpose and history of Lent.
What is Lent?
Lent has traditionally been observed over the 40 days leading up to Easter, in preparation for celebrating Christ's resurrection! During this time, Christ-followers devote themselves to the practices of prayer, fasting, and generosity. The duration of 40 days aligns with biblical examples of these practices used in preparation for liberation or spiritual reorientation (Jesus’s 40 days spent in the desert before beginning his ministry, or Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness before entering the promised land.
What Lent is not
Lent is not an obligation, but an invitation into deeper relationship with and appreciation for our savior. Choosing not to participate won’t hurt your standing with God or make you “less Christian”, and participating doesn’t prove your devotion or earn God’s favor. We cannot in any way earn God’s grace or favor, for it is by grace we are saved through faith, not a result of works. Lent is not a season of “self-improvement.” It’s not for eliminating all your bad habits and putting to use all the things you’ve learned in self-help books. It’s not about us. Lent is a time for self-examination and redirection, during which we get the opportunity to empty ourselves in humble expectation of fulfillment by our creator, sustainer, and redeemer. Spending intentional time at the feet of Jesus might result in the formation of better habits and spiritual rhythms, but is not the focus or goal.