Lent is an ancient season in the Church calendar that has been practiced as early as the second century. It’s a season of reflection, preparation, and renewal. Traditionally, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for forty days leading up to Good Friday of Holy Week (Sundays are traditionally taken off). The hope of Lent is to prepare the people of God for the truth that Easter Sunday conveys – that resurrection only happens after crucifixion.

The forty days of Lent are meant to bring about greater repentance and surrender as we remember Christ’s sacrifice. Followers of Jesus are encouraged to participate in practices like self-reflection, prayer, confession, and fasting to better commemorate and remember the purpose of this season.

Lent is a great opportunity to pause and remember the Cross during Easter season. Lent gives us the space we need to reflect on our sin, our brokenness, and that we are needy people. It also allows us to grieve the evil we experience while living in a broken world, and it points us to the unshakable truth that Jesus is the only hope for us and the world.

To be abundantly clear, practicing Lent carries no spiritual power in itself: it serves to align us with the Holy Spirit’s work within us to make us more like Jesus. This guide isn’t a spiritual “to-do” list: it’s a tool to help you follow Jesus during one of the most important seasons in the life of the Church. Please view this guide and its rhythms as invitations, not obligations. Practice Lent however you feel led, but consider giving some of the traditional fasts a try!

The purpose of fasting is twofold. First, fasting helps us eliminate some of the noise and distraction in our lives, allowing greater intimacy for Jesus. Secondly, fasting reminds us that only Jesus truly satisfies our souls; as we abstain from different things, we recognize that those things truly don’t meet the desires of our heart. Fasting isn’t merely subtracting something lesser from our lives: it’s an opportunity to add something greater.

If you’re up for it, we encourage you to participate in a traditional “Lenten Fast,” which typically challenges that you abstain from something like food, drink, hobbies, or forms of entertainment. We’ll have weekly fasting recommendations—a mix of more traditional and more contemporary options. Or, you can also choose to fast on your own from something specific of your season, like sweets, social media, caffeine, anything!

Watch John mark comer’s take on fasting

Week 1: Food

Replace a certain meal or food with time spent in Scripture, prayer, or with God.

Week 2: Media and Entertainment

Don’t watch the news or YouTube, or skip TV and movies altogether.

Week 3: Caffeine

Give up caffeine for a week; we dare you.

Week 4: Social media

Grab your Bible to spend time with God instead of scrolling.

Week 5: Music

Listen to a “worship-only” playlist for this week.

Week 6: Shopping for Non-essentials

Say no to non-essentials this week, and remember that Jesus is enough.

Week 7: Sleep

Please, do sleep! But, we challenge you to set your alarms earlier or stay up a little later to spend intentional time with Jesus.

Here are some questions to consider before you start your own fast for Lent:

1. Have I become dependent on something other than God to attend to the deeper aches of my soul?
2. What do I use to find pleasure, comfort, or emotional regulation?
3. What is something that, when I consider giving it up, strikes fear in me?
4. What could I abstain from that might create more time or space in my day to draw closer to Jesus?

This Week’s Fast: Food

There are many ways you can go about fasting from food. Some will pick abstaining from a certain meal each day like breakfast or dinner. Some may choose one day to fast from sunrise to sunset. Some may choose to fast from sweets this week or a particular kind of food. The hope again is that we wouldn’t merely skip a meal but replace the time that we usually give to eating to spend time in Scripture, prayer, going on a walk, or listening to a worship playlist.

This Week’s Passage

Read Luke 4:1-13

Supplemental Passages

Hebrews 2:14-18; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 1:12-15; John 6:25-40

Pray for victory in areas where you struggle with temptation this week. Be specific and honest with God.

Father in heaven,

You say that “No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide a way out so that you may be able to bear it.” So, I ask for strength and perseverance in this struggle, as your Spirit empowers me. I know my flesh is weak, but I also know you’re more than willing and able to provide the help I need. Thank you. In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

As you read and meditate on these Scriptures this week, here are some questions for reflection alone or in your Life Group:

1. How was this first week for you?
2. What did you learn about Jesus, or yourself this week as you read, prayed, fasted, and reflected? Specifically, regarding temptation?
3. How have you experienced Jesus’ grace and provision this week in your life?

This Week’s Fast: Media & Entertainment

You can choose simply not to watch any TV or movies, or you might choose not to watch any daily news in the morning or YouTube videos before bed. Consider using time spent for entertainment to spend with Jesus in Scripture and prayer.

This Week’s Passage

Read Isaiah 53:3-12

Supplemental Passages

Psalm 51; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:1-6; Matthew 9:1-8

Confess your sin to God, believing Jesus paid for it and is gracious and kind to forgive it.

Father in heaven,

How quick I am to sin against You. How quick I am to give myself over to rebellion. Have mercy on me. Help me believe your Word that declares, “but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” Thank you for sending Your Son Jesus to die the death I deserve for this sin. And thank You for granting me His own perfection so that I can know and love You. He alone is my hope. He alone is my savior. And it’s in His Name I pray,

Amen.

As you read and meditate on the Scriptures this week, here are some questions for reflection alone or in your Life Group:

1. How was your week as you focused on your sin and practiced repentance?
2. Specifically regarding sin, what did you learn about Jesus or yourself this week as you read, prayed, fasted, and reflected?
3. How have you experienced Jesus’ grace and provision this week in your life?

This Week’s Fast: Caffeine

To some of us, this might seem like an unrealistic ask. But something as simple as giving up caffeine for a week reminds our bodies that we are not slaves to them, and that Jesus alone is our Sustainer each day. Take this week to really lean into the Lord and ask for His strength.

This Week’s Passage

Read John 4:1-30

Supplemental Passages

Luke 4:16-21; Matthew 9:9-13; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 12:1-2

Spend time in prayer asking Jesus to make you new, just as He will make all things new.

Father in heaven,

You say there will be a day when You “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” I recognize all the brokenness both within my own flesh, but also in the world around me. Holy Spirit, I ask that You would continue Your work of making me a new creation that I may glorify You in all of my life. also, help me truly believe that this broken world isn’t eternal, and it too will experience newness when You come again. My hope is in You alone. In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen.

As you read and meditate on the Scriptures this week, here are some questions for reflection alone or in your Life Group:

1. In what ways have you experienced the brokenness of the world and your own flesh this week?
2. What did you learn about Jesus or yourself this week as you read, prayed, fasted, and reflected?
3. How have you experienced Jesus renewing you personally in your walk with Him?

This Week’s Fast: Social Media

Social media may be a fantastic discipleship tool at times, but it is also fueling the epidemic phone addictions we’re seeing now. Fasting from social media helps us escape the pressures of what others think and believe about us, allowing us to embrace what God declares – that we are fully known and deeply loved. Instead of waking up and immediately grabbing your phone to scroll through Facebook or Instagram, grab your Bible and have slow morning of prayer and reflection as you prepare for your day.

This Week’s Passage

Read John 5:1-8

Supplemental Passages

Matthew 9:18-26; James 1:2-4; Romans 8:28-29; Romans 5:1-5

Spend time in prayer over those you know who are suffering, along with your own suffering and pain. Rest in the hope that Jesus uses our suffering for our good and His glory.

Father in heaven,

My suffering Savior and King, help my heart believe that You are not unaware of my present pain, suffering, and trials. That You Yourself lived a life of extreme hardship and struggle, and Your suffering was what brought me new life. And that You call me to come to Your throne of grace in my time of need because You are eager to grant me Your grace. So, I come and cast all my burdens and anxieties on You, the only One who can truly bear them, believing that You’re with me in my struggle and pain. In Your sovereign plan, You are using it to conform me more into the image of Your Son. Help me trust You, Father. You alone are my refuge and my source of strength in my time of need. In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

As you read and meditate on the Scriptures this week, here are some questions for reflection alone or in your Life Group:

1. Why does suffering often lead us away from Jesus rather than to Him?
2. What did you learn about Jesus or yourself this week as you read, prayed, fasted, and reflected?
3. How have you seen Jesus use your suffering for His glory and your good?

This Week’s Fast: Music

There’s nothing wrong with loving a good jam session during our commute, but what if we leveraged that time to listen to music that grows our wonder of God? For a week, we challenge you to give up listening to secular music (or opt for more quiet time!), and choose to use your commutes for extended prayer or to listen to worship music.

This Week’s Passage

Read John 6:22-40

Supplemental Passages

Isaiah 55:1-3; John 15:1-11; Philippians 3:7-11; Psalm 145:14-21

Spend time in prayer simply asking that your heart would believe Jesus is enough, that He alone can satisfy its desires and longings.

Father in heaven,

Your Word says, “You make known to me the path of life. And at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” You alone are my greatest satisfaction and joy, yet my flesh and heart quickly believe that You aren’t enough. And how quickly I believe that something or someone else will satisfy my soul. Father, I ask for forgiveness, and I ask for strength and perseverance to believe that Your Son, Jesus alone, is more than enough for me. That He alone can satisfy my longings and desires. Holy Spirit, I ask that You would grow my love and delight in Jesus so much that all the things of this world would seem insignificant to being known and loved by Him. In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

As you read and meditate on the Scriptures this week, here are some questions for reflection alone or in your Life Group:

1. Why are we so prone to believe that the world can satisfy our hearts?
2. What did you learn about Jesus or yourself this week as you read, prayed, fasted, and reflected?
3. How has Jesus specifically met the longings of your heart, soul, and mind? How have you experienced that “He is enough” for you?

This Week’s Fast: Shopping for Non-essentials

We are a culture of consumers, bombarded with hundreds of marketing messages a day that we’ll be satisfied with the latest gadget or toy. So choose this week to embrace simplicity over consumption; choose to accept that Jesus is enough for you. Say “no” to non-essentials during this fast, and merely buy what you need.

This Week’s Passage

John 11:17-44

Supplemental Passages

Luke 7:11-17; Luke 8:40-56; 1 Cor. 15:12-56; Rev. 21:1-8

Spend some time solemnly contemplating and mourning death in our world; then also rejoice in your hope that in Christ you, too, will conquer death.

Father in heaven,

This world is broken and how quickly I am reminded that it too will pass away. I hate that, because of sin, death is an ever-present reality. I long for the day where death will be no more. Jesus, You also know the reality of death. You Yourself tasted of it on my behalf, so that I could be forgiven of my sin and restored into perfect relationship with my God. And You say that You “are the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” In a world where living things die, help me believe that truth. Because of Your work, death doesn’t have the final say over my life. I, too, will rise. In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

As you read and meditate on the Scriptures this week, here are some questions for reflection alone or in your Life Group:

1. What comes to your mind as you think of death? Is it a topic that you think about often, if at all?
2. What did you learn about Jesus or yourself this week as you read, prayed, fasted, and reflected?
3. Do you feel comforted known that Jesus defeated death? Why?

This Week’s Fast: Sleep

“Skip sleeping for a whole week?!” Not at all! But the challenge is that you would either get up an hour earlier or stay up an hour later to spend extended time with Jesus. It’s a fitting fast, seeing that Jesus stayed awake in the Garden of Gethsemane to pray in the final hours before He went to the cross for us. Fast sleep to reserve extra time with our Lord.

Holy Week Passages

• Palm Sunday – Mark 11:1-10
• Monday – Mark 11:12-19
• Tuesday – Mark 12:1-12
• Wednesday – Mark 14:3-11
• Thursday – Mark 14:12-72
• Good Friday – Mark 15:1-47
• Saturday – Matthew 27:62-66
• Sunday – Mark 16:1-8

Spend time in prayer marveling at the work of Jesus and rejoicing in the grace He’s offered you through His life, death, and resurrection.

Father in heaven,

Thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die the death that I deserve. That You made Him who knew no sin so that in Him I might become the righteousness of God. Thank You for Your generous and eager grace that You’ve granted me now because of your Son’s death and resurrection. Help my heart stay zealous for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He alone is my salvation. He alone is my King. And it’s in His name I pray,

Amen.

As you read and meditate on the Scriptures this week, here are some questions for reflection alone or in your Life Group:

1. What has stood out to you as you reflect on the events of Holy Week?
2. what did you learn about Jesus or yourself this week as you read, prayed, fasted, and reflected?
3. How has practicing the season of Lent better prepared you for the joy and truth of Resurrection Sunday?