The forty days
Lent: forty days of drawing near to God
Lent is the quiet, searching season of about forty days before Easter, a time to reflect, to repent, and often to fast or give something up, preparing the heart for the joy of the resurrection.
What Lent is for
Lent remembers the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and praying, before He began His ministry. Many Christians mark the season by giving something up, or taking something on, to make more room for God: less noise, less hurry, more prayer, more kindness. It is not about earning anything. It is about clearing space to be found.
“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.”
Matthew 4:1-2 · King James Version
“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.”
Joel 2:12 · King James Version
A gentle way to begin
You do not need a perfect plan to keep Lent. You could pray a little each morning, read a Gospel slowly, forgive someone, or set down one habit that has been crowding God out. Small and honest is enough. The season leads, step by step, toward Easter.
Find a Lent or Sunday service near you
When you are ready to be there in person, you can find a Lent or Sunday service near you. We do not list service times here, because they change every year and from one place to the next. Instead we point you to real churches close to where you are, so you can go and see for yourself.
Every church shown is a real place you can visit. Check the church’s own page, or call ahead, for this year’s service times.
Keep exploring: Lent in the church year · the Christian calendar · find a church · the gospel · ask for prayer