In 2026, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, and concludes on Holy Saturday, April 4.
As a reminder, the 40 days of Lent traditionally exclude Sundays, as every Sunday is considered a "mini-Easter" or a feast day. This guide follows that traditional 40-day count to help you stay focused on the penitential journey.
Week 1: The Call to Return
Focus: Humility and setting intentions.
DayDate (2026)ScripturePrayer Focus
1Feb 18 (Ash Wed)Joel 2:12-13"Lord, soften my heart to turn back to You today."
2Feb 19Matthew 6:1-6"Help me seek Your approval above the praise of others."
3Feb 20Psalm 51:10-12"Create in me a clean heart and renew my spirit."
4Feb 21Isaiah 58:6-7"Guide my fasting to be an act of justice and love."
Week 2: Into the Wilderness
Focus: Overcoming temptation and finding strength in God.
DayDate (2026)ScripturePrayer Focus
5Feb 23 (Mon)Matthew 4:1-4"Teach me to rely on Your Word as my daily bread."
6Feb 24Hebrews 4:15-16"Thank You for empathizing with my weaknesses."
7Feb 25James 4:7-8"I draw near to You; please draw near to me."
8Feb 261 Cor 10:13"Provide a way out when I feel overwhelmed."
9Feb 27Psalm 91:1-2"Be my refuge and my fortress in times of trouble."
10Feb 28Deut 8:2-3"Remind me of Your faithfulness in dry seasons."
Week 3: The Heart of Mercy
Focus: Forgiveness and the grace of God.
DayDate (2026)ScripturePrayer Focus
11Mar 2 (Mon)Ephesians 2:8-9"Thank You that my worth is found in Your grace."
12Mar 3Luke 15:20-24"I am coming home; thank You for meeting me."
13Mar 4Colossians 3:13"Help me forgive others as You have forgiven me."
14Mar 5Micah 7:18-19"Tread my sins underfoot and cast them away."
15Mar 6Romans 5:8"Thank You for loving me even while I was far off."
16Mar 7Matthew 18:21-22"Expand my capacity for patience and mercy today."
Week 4: Walking in the Light
Focus: Truth, clarity, and following Jesus’ lead.
DayDate (2026)ScripturePrayer Focus
17Mar 9 (Mon)John 8:12"Light of the world, illuminate the path before me."
18Mar 10Psalm 119:105"Let Your Word be a lamp for my feet."
19Mar 11Ephesians 5:8-10"Help me live as a child of the light."
20Mar 121 John 1:5-7"Cleanse me as I walk in fellowship with You."
21Mar 13Psalm 27:1"Since You are my light, whom shall I fear?"
22Mar 14John 12:35-36"Keep me from stumbling; give me Your perspective."
Week 5: The Servant’s Path
Focus: Humility and serving others.
DayDate (2026)ScripturePrayer Focus
23Mar 16 (Mon)Mark 10:45"Teach me to serve rather than be served."
24Mar 17Philippians 2:3-5"Give me the same mind that was in Christ Jesus."
25Mar 18John 13:14-15"Show me whose feet I can 'wash' through kindness."
26Mar 19Galatians 6:9"Let me not grow weary in doing good."
27Mar 20Matthew 25:40"Help me see Your face in the least of these."
28Mar 211 Peter 4:10"May I use my gifts to bless those around me."
Week 6: Deepening Devotion
Focus: Intimacy and surrender.
DayDate (2026)ScripturePrayer Focus
29Mar 23 (Mon)John 15:4-5"Apart from You I can do nothing; help me abide."
30Mar 24Psalm 42:1-2"My soul thirsts for You; satisfy me."
31Mar 25Jeremiah 29:13"I seek You with my whole heart today."
32Mar 26Luke 9:23-24"I take up my cross to follow You."
33Mar 27Psalm 63:1-3"Your love is better than life; I praise You."
34Mar 28Revelation 3:20"I open the door of my heart; come in."
Week 7: Holy Week
Focus: The Passion and the Sacrifice.
DayDate (2026)ScripturePrayer Focus
35Mar 30 (Mon)Isaiah 53:3-5"By Your wounds, I am healed. Thank You."
36Mar 31John 12:24-26"Grant me courage to let go of the old for the new."
37Apr 1Matthew 26:39"Not my will, but Yours be done."
38Apr 2 (Thu)1 Cor 11:23-26"I remember Your sacrifice and Your new covenant."
39Apr 3 (Fri)John 19:30"It is finished. Thank You for the price paid."
40Apr 4 (Sat)Psalm 130:5-6"I wait for You, Lord, in the quiet of this day."
Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026): Celebrate the Resurrection!