What is Lent? Christian Preparation Season

Want to Speak with a Pastor?
Featured image for “What is Lent? Christian Preparation Season”

You’ve seen them in the grocery store.

Those fish sandwich signs appearing every February or March.

You’ve noticed friends with ash marks on their foreheads one Wednesday.

Or maybe you’ve heard people talking about giving up chocolate or social media “for Lent.”

But what exactly is this season all about?

Why do some Christians participate while others don’t?

And most importantly – could this ancient tradition offer something your spiritual life is missing?

If you’ve ever felt your faith journey needs more intentionality…

If you long for deeper meaning beyond Sunday services…

If you wonder if there’s a way to prepare your heart for Easter more purposefully…

Then understanding Lent might be exactly what your soul is searching for.

Do you have more questions?

Did you have more questions or are you wanting to grow in your faith?

Get in Touch

The Journey to Easter

Lent is a 40-day period of preparation before Easter.

It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends just before Easter Sunday.

(Technically it’s 46 days, but Sundays aren’t counted as they’re considered “mini-Easters.”)

The 40 days mirror Jesus’ time of fasting and prayer in the wilderness before beginning his ministry.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry” (Matthew 4:1-2).

This season invites us to walk with Jesus toward the cross.

To prepare our hearts for the celebration of resurrection.

To create space for God in our distracted lives.

Think of Lent as spring cleaning for your soul.

A time to clear out what’s cluttering your spiritual house.

An invitation to simplify so you can simply focus on what matters most.

The Three Pillars of Lent

Traditionally, Lent centers around three spiritual practices.

Each one addresses a different aspect of our relationship with God and others.

First is prayer – deepening our communion with God.

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen” (Matthew 6:6).

This is about creating intentional time to listen to God’s voice.

To sit in His presence without our usual distractions.

Second is fasting – releasing what controls us.

Giving up something temporarily reveals what has unhealthy power in our lives.

It creates hunger that reminds us we’re dependent on God alone.

“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Third is giving – extending compassion to others.

When we give of ourselves – our time, resources, or attention – we reflect God’s generosity.

“Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

Need Prayer?

Life can be overwhelming, which is why many turn to prayer—a simple conversation with God—for strength, hope, and peace. The Bible reminds us that prayer is powerful and meaningful. Whatever you're facing, we’d be honored to pray for you or your loved ones. You're not alone, and we’re here to partner with you in prayer.

Request Prayer
Young women laughing as people sit together

Making Lent Meaningful Today

You don’t need to be from a liturgical tradition to benefit from Lent.

This season offers timeless wisdom for any Christian seeking deeper faith.

Start with honest reflection about what’s coming between you and God.

Is it busyness? Digital distraction? Material comfort? Unresolved anger?

Choose one meaningful practice to adopt or adapt.

Maybe it’s dedicating the first ten minutes of each day to prayer.

Or fasting from social media after 8pm.

Or committing to one act of anonymous generosity each week.

The goal isn’t religious performance.

It’s creating space where transformation can happen.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

We don’t observe Lent to earn God’s favor.

We observe it to recognize our need and open ourselves to grace.

Find Community

We all have a deep need for connection, but building meaningful relationships isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve created welcoming spaces where you can meet new people and build authentic community. No matter where you are in your faith journey, you’re invited to explore, grow, and belong here.

Get Connected
Young women laughing as people sit together

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to give something up for Lent?

Traditional Lent often involves fasting from something, but you could also add a positive practice. The question to ask isn’t “What should I give up?” but “What change would create more space for God in my life?”

Is Lent mentioned in the Bible?

The 40-day period isn’t specifically mentioned, but it’s based on biblical principles of preparation, fasting, and spiritual discipline. Jesus himself modeled a 40-day period of preparation before his ministry.

What if I mess up my Lent commitment?

Welcome to being human! Lent actually teaches us about grace through our failures. When you fall short, simply begin again. The stumbling is often where the deepest learning happens.

Is Lent only for Catholics or Orthodox Christians?

While Lent has deep roots in those traditions, many Protestant denominations and non-denominational churches have rediscovered its value. The spiritual practices of Lent belong to the whole church.

A Season of Renewal

As we approach this Lenten season, we invite you to join us on the journey.

Not with perfectionistic pressure.

But with grace-filled intention.

This ancient path has guided countless believers through the centuries.

It still offers wisdom for our hurried, distracted modern lives.

The wilderness isn’t a detour on the spiritual journey.

It’s often where the most important growth happens.

Just as Jesus emerged from his 40 days prepared for ministry, you too can experience renewal.

Easter becomes more meaningful when we’ve walked the road to get there.

Let’s walk toward Easter together, creating space for God to do what only He can do.

Because the path through Lent isn’t about earning resurrection joy.

It’s about preparing our hearts to receive it fully when it comes.


Get Connected

If you want to learn more, have questions, need prayer, or want to get in touch with our church — simply fill out the form below to connect!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Young women laughing as people sit together