Maybe you’ve heard of Lent, but you aren’t sure what it’s all about. You’re not alone—it’s one of those “churchy” words you hear about this time of year. So, what is it? Lent is a 40-day season (Sundays aren’t included) in the Christian calendar leading up to Easter. It’s a time to “hit pause,” reflect, repent, and get ready to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.
Those 40 days? They’re to remember that Jesus spent 40 days fasting and praying in the wilderness before starting His earthly ministry. (Matthew 4:1-2). Lent’s a journey that starts with ashes and ends with the blazing glory and joy of Easter Sunday.
How It Starts & What It Looks Like
Lent starts off on Ash Wednesday—March 5th this year—when Christians head to church and get ashes on their foreheads. It’s a gritty reminder of our mortality and a call to turn back to God. Like Joel 2:12 NKJV says, “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” From there, the season goes through 40 days of spiritual disciplines. Here’s what that looks like:
Prayer: is the foundation of Lent. It’s intentional time with God—maybe a quick morning prayer or a deep confession. Philippians 4:6 NKJV puts it this way, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Lent’s a great time to sit in quiet with God, getting honest and listening to what He has to say.
Fasting: “giving something up” is a phrase you hear during Lent. Here, people are referring to fasting or giving up something that keeps them from focusing on God. Some stop chocolate or coffee, while others may give up doomscrolling through the news on their phones. They choose to give up something that they rely on too much. Others prefer to fast during these days. Some may refrain from all animal products, others may give up meat, eating fish and veggies during this time. Fasting’s all about sacrifice and making room for God. Matthew 4:4 NKJV says, “But He answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Fasting is about leaning on the truth and opening your heart to the Lord’s love.
Almsgiving or Acts of charity: Lent also includes almsgiving or acts of charity. Here, again, it’s about sacrifice. Some give cash to the needy, volunteer at a soup kitchen, mow a neighbor’s lawn, and more. It’s faith with “boots on.” Matthew 6:3-4 NKJV says, “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” It’s quiet love—like Jesus gave.
Repentance and reflection: Lent is also a time to look at your life. Where have you messed up? Ask forgiveness, then recommit to Christ. 1 John 1:9 NKJV promises, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
There aren’t any rules to check off; these are tools to wake up your spirit. Lent wraps up in Holy Week: Palm Sunday (Jesus rides into Jerusalem), Maundy Thursday (the Last Supper), Good Friday (the crucifixion), and Easter Sunday (the empty tomb). Lent can feel like a rollercoaster from it’s start with tears and moving to triumph on Easter!
Who Practices Lent & Why?
Lent’s big across Christian sects—Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians, along with plenty of Protestants (like Anglicans, Lutherans, and Methodists) join in. It’s not an exclusive club; it’s for anyone wanting to prep their heart for Easter.
The point of Lent? To spiritually gear up for celebrating Christ’s win over sin and death. Romans 6:4 NKJV says, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Lent’s not about earning God’s favor—you can’t—but about leaning into what He’s done.
Why Humility’s the Key
Lent doesn’t work without humility. It’s the “glue” that holds it all together. Why? Because humility lets you see yourself straight—your limits, your mess-ups, your need for grace. Philippians 2:3 NKJV says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
Think about Jesus in the wilderness—hungry, alone, tempted. He didn’t flex. He leaned on God. Luke 14:11 NKJV warns, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Lent asks us to do the same. It’s not a shame game—sure, you might feel a sting facing your sins, and that’s normal. But the devil loves twisting shame into a spotlight on you. Lent says, “Eyes on God.” Focus on His love, Jesus’s sacrifice. John 3:16 NKJV reminds us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” That the story and the entire foundation of Easter—God’s love for us.
A humble spirit cuts through the noise. Have you ever tried praying when you’re “full of yourself?” It’s like talking to a brick wall. Humility cracks you open and lets you admit where you’ve fallen short and turned away. James 4:10 NJKV says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Free Lenten Prayer Journal
I've created a free Lenten prayer journal--Daily Steps with God--which you can find on my Gumroad shop! It's free and easy to use. I made it to go with my new Substack for Lent! This is a newsletter that's free--you sign up and receive a new devotion in your inbox, which includes a Bible verse, a short devotion, and reflection questions for each day through Lent (except Sundays).
Lent’s Real Benefits
Lent isn’t about slogging through 40 days to feel shame or to feel extra holy. It’s about clearing out the junk—whether it’s a bad habit, a cold heart, or a distracted mind—so God can move in. With humility, you see your strengths and weaknesses clear as day. You’re not too proud to say, “I need You.” That’s when it happens: fasting sharpens you, prayer steadies you, giving softens you, refection realigns you.
By the time Easter comes, you’re not just glad the coffee or chocolate is back! You’re different—lighter, closer to Jesus, and ready to celebrate His victory with a heart that gets it. Lent’s a reset, a chance to turn back to God and find His hope waiting. It’s tough, sure, but it’s good. Really good. Psalm 51:10 NKJV sums it up this way, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
So, what about you? Will you give Lent a shot this year—not just skipping snacks, but chasing something deeper? Jesus walked in the wilderness first. He’s walking it with you now.
I’d love to hear about your Lenten experiences in the comments! Let us know how you’re practicing Lent!
And if you'd like to learn more about Lent, check out my article on Substack: Lent: Is It More Than Giving Up Chocolate?
Also check out: Lent: Finding Joy in Psalm 65 & the Stirring of Spring on Substack!
God bless,
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