Lent Devotional
A Call to Repentance & Renewal
Week 1
Joel 2:12-13 (ESV)
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
When you think of Lent, what comes to mind?
Growing up Roman Catholic, I often thought of Lent as a time when my family ate less candy and had ashes smeared on our foreheads in the shape of a cross. Maybe that’s true for you too—you associate Lent with giving up [insert random vice here] for forty days.
But Lent is so much more than that.
Historically, Lent has been a season of fasting, repentance, and renewal—a time set apart to prepare our hearts for the hope of Easter. Our prayer is that Lent 2025 would be a season of deeper intimacy with God—a journey of confession & repentance, renewal & rest, and meditation & fasting. In the words of Joel, let’s return to the Lord with all our hearts.
—Sage Rodrigo
As you prepare for Lent this season, what do you hope to learn from The Lord? Consider going through a Lectio Divina.
Read Joel 2:12–13.
Quiet yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to guard and guide your meditation.
First reading. One-minute silent reflection before God. Take notice of whatever captures your attention in the passage or in your inner experience.
Second reading. One-minute silent reflection. Listen for a single word or phrase that particularly strikes you.
Third reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. Listen to how the passage seems to touch your life experience.
Fourth reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. What do you feel the passage might be inviting you to do? What is God inviting you to be? How is God inviting you to change? Spend some time in prayer over what you received from God’s word, and give thanks for his gift to you.
Zechariah 4:6 (ESV)
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
This verse often appears on coffee mugs or cards, but it provides an opportunity for us during Lent to shift from relying on our strength to embracing the Spirit’s power.
Zerubbabel, a descendent of David and the governor of Judah, faced an overwhelming task: rebuilding the temple, the sacred meeting place between God and His people (Ezra 5:2, Hag. 1:1). Around 538-536 BC, Jerusalem was in ruins and there seemed to be no way to complete the mission. When faced with my own “impossible” task, like getting to church on time with the kids who are still in pajamas at 8:55am, I’m quick to rely on sheer determination. Even in preparing my heart for Lent, I catch myself trying to force spiritual growth through effort alone.
But God’s Words through Zechariah reminds not only Zerubbabel that the way to God is not through strength but through the Spirit’s empowerment. Even more encouraging is the name of God in the passage: the LORD of hosts, the commander of heaven’s armies. He holds ultimate power and authority. The same Spirit who strengthened Zerubbabel empowers us to draw near to God through Jesus Christ, our perfect High Priest.
—Ryan Crider
Prayer
God, Jesus, thank you for being worthy of it all and commanding the armies of heaven! LORD I confess that I quickly turn to my own strength instead of to you and the Spirit. Please forgive me and show me areas of my life that I can surrender to you. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflect
Where am I relying on my own strength instead of the Spirit of God?
How can I trust the LORD of hosts with what feels impossible today?
Read Zechariah 4:6.
Quiet yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to guard and guide your meditation.
First reading. One-minute silent reflection before God. Take notice of whatever captures your attention in the passage or in your inner experience.
Second reading. One-minute silent reflection. Listen for a single word or phrase that particularly strikes you.
Third reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. Listen to how the passage seems to touch your life experience.
Fourth reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. What do you feel the passage might be inviting you to do? What is God inviting you to be? How is God inviting you to change? Spend some time in prayer over what you received from God’s word, and give thanks for his gift to you.
Week 2
Zechariah 9:9 (ESV)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9 is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness, spoken during a time when Jerusalm lay in ruins and its people struggled with discouragement (see the last devo). Into this despair, God declared hope: a righteous and humble King was coming to bring salvation.
Centuries later, Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, entering Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21:1-11; John 12:12-19). He brought more than political restoration, He offered eternal salvation for all who believe. Zechariah 8:23 extends this promise saying that people from every nation would recognize God’s presence among His people and seek to follow Him.
In life’s transitions, moving, starting anew, facing uncertainty, we can feel displaced and hopeless much like the people in Zechariah’s time. During my time in the Army, my family and I experienced frequent moves. Each time, we left behind beloved friends, supportive communities, and vibrant churches. It often felt like we would never find that same sense of belonging again. Yet, God faithfully provided, proving that His promises hold firm no matter where we are.
If you’re in a season of waiting or change, please take heart because the same King who brought hope to Jerusalem is at work in your life. He is faithful to His promises, righteous in His ways, and mighty to save.
Prayer
Lord, thank you Jesus for being the faithful king who fulfills His promises. Thank you for bringing righteousness and salvation as you humbly entered Jerusalem on a donkey. Please forgive me for the times I do not trust you. Please remind my soul of your hope and faithfulness in every season of life. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, amen.
—Ryan Crider
Reflection Questions
Where do I need to be reminded of God’s faithfulness today?
How does Jesus’ humility and righteousness encourage me during uncertainty?
Read Zechariah 9:9.
Quiet yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to guard and guide your meditation.
First reading. One-minute silent reflection before God. Take notice of whatever captures your attention in the passage or in your inner experience.
Second reading. One-minute silent reflection. Listen for a single word or phrase that particularly strikes you.
Third reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. Listen to how the passage seems to touch your life experience.
Fourth reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. What do you feel the passage might be inviting you to do? What is God inviting you to be? How is God inviting you to change? Spend some time in prayer over what you received from God’s word, and give thanks for his gift to you.
Confession & Repentance
How has the Spirit convicted you this week? Confess this to God and to someone else, turn away and repent of it.
John 15:1-5 (ESV)
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
We often feel the need to work harder at becoming a ‘better’ Christian—to prove ourselves, to make God proud, to finally get it together. Maybe you’re thinking, “another year has passed, and I didn’t do all the things I wanted to do.” Maybe following Jesus just feels like a lot right now.
Jesus calls himself the vine because the vine imparts to its branches sap and fruit. Likewise,Christ infuses into his followers his divine strength and life. Can you believe it?! Christ, infuses into us HIS strength and HIS life… Incredible! But for this to occur, we must be connected to the vine. We must abide in Him. But what’s it mean to abide?
Abide - verb - uh-BYDE
to remain, to not depart, to continue to be present, to continue to be, to endure, to remain as one.
Jesus is calling us to remain, to not depart, to endure, to remain as one… in HIM. We don’t have to sustain ourselves because Christ is the one who sustains our life. Apart from him we can do nothing, friends. Our walk with God is not about striving to produce fruit or working harder to earn what Jesus freely gives. Instead, it’s about remaining in Christ. When we abide in Him, the fruit will naturally follow—not by our effort, but by His power. He is the one who gives us everything we need to be fruitful. We can’t produce fruit by our own will and works, it is Jesus who imparts all that he is to us.
Take five deep breaths and remind yourself that Jesus isn’t asking you to strive—He’s asking you to abide. What is one small way you can practice abiding in Him today?
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, I praise you for my life in you, I am so grateful for Your sacrifice and Your willingness to abide in the Father to the point of death on the cross. Today. I confess that consistently, I feel [insert confession what keeps you from going to Christ], so I come before you to ask you to help me abide in you, to help me remain, to help me be present before you. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
—Juliana Quintero
Reflection Questions
What areas of your life feel driven by striving rather than abiding in Jesus? How might you invite Him into those spaces today?
Jesus promises that abiding in Him leads to fruitfulness. What does it look like for you to trust in His power rather than your own efforts to produce spiritual growth?
Read John 15:1-5.
Quiet yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to guard and guide your meditation.
First reading. One-minute silent reflection before God. Take notice of whatever captures your attention in the passage or in your inner experience.
Second reading. One-minute silent reflection. Listen for a single word or phrase that particularly strikes you.
Third reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. Listen to how the passage seems to touch your life experience.
Fourth reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. What do you feel the passage might be inviting you to do? What is God inviting you to be? How is God inviting you to change? Spend some time in prayer over what you received from God’s word, and give thanks for his gift to you.
Silence & Solitude/Meditation (30-60 min)
Free yourself of distractions, be present with God.
Week 3
Colossians 4:3–6 (ESV)
At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Do you ever think about who you share the gospel with and to, and with that, how you share it to them? If we read through Acts, we see that Paul would share the gospel in different (but non-compromising!) ways that led to different groups of people being persuaded by the gospel message (Acts 17:4; Acts 18;4). This is what we see Paul reiterating in Colossians 4:3–6. Paul is asking us to be intentional in our speech towards outsiders, being sure that "we make the best use of our time," "letting our speech…be seasoned with salt" with the ultimate goal of "knowing how we ought to answer each person."
If you look at the root word of the word “salt” it means “to raise up,” to “elevate,” to lift up. The way we “elevate” our speech towards outsiders is by “knowing how…to answer each person.” How we salt, or, elevate the gospel to those outside of the faith is of huge importance. Salt doesn’t just add flavor; it preserves, enhances, and makes people thirst for more. Does your speech make people thirst for the truth of Christ?
The key is not that we “elevate” or enhance the gospel itself by our mere humanity—it is already the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). Rather, we elevate how we present it. Paul isn’t saying we add to the message, but that we should communicate it in a way that removes obstacles, meets people where they are, and makes the truth as clear and compelling as possible. As Paul says in verse 3: God is the one who “opens to us a door for the word,” but it is Paul who is “declaring” that gospel message.
Prayer
Jesus, I confess I don't often “earnestly ask with eagerness for open doors to share about you.” I don't often think of how to appropriately communicate to the outsider such that the mystery of Christ is made clear and bring the outsider in. God, thank you for sending Jesus who had perfect words to share to different people. May I be more intentional and attuned to how I may have speech that is "seasoned with salt and gracious at all times."
—Nico
Reflection Questions
During this season of Lent, as we reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and prepare our hearts for renewal, how can you be more intentional in praying for open doors to share the gospel? In what ways can your speech be more gracious and “seasoned with salt” so that others might thirst for the truth of Christ?
When you think about sharing your faith, what are some opportunities you might be overlooking? How can you pray for open doors to share the gospel this week?
Paul encourages us to have speech that is “gracious” and “seasoned with salt.” What might it look like for you to speak with both clarity and kindness when engaging with those outside the faith?
Read Colossians 4:3–6
Quiet yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to guard and guide your meditation.
First reading. One-minute silent reflection before God. Take notice of whatever captures your attention in the passage or in your inner experience.
Second reading. One-minute silent reflection. Listen for a single word or phrase that particularly strikes you.
Third reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. Listen to how the passage seems to touch your life experience.
Fourth reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. What do you feel the passage might be inviting you to do? What is God inviting you to be? How is God inviting you to change? Spend some time in prayer over what you received from God’s word, and give thanks for his gift to you.
Confession & Repentance
How has the Spirit convicted you this week? Confess this to God and to someone else, turn away and repent of it.
Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV)
Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
What a beautiful statement Paul makes. Knowing Jesus is better than gaining everything. Paul says he counts everything as loss compared to just knowing Christ! Jesus is better than gaining everything.
One of the motivations of the Lent season is to give up something(s) to focus more on Christ and His gospel. Unfortunately, often the focus is simply giving up something, not the gaining that can occur because of the surrender of lesser things. But what if, what if you could truly gain Christ? Because you’re surrendering something, what if this creates space for Christ to come and fill this empty space? It does! In irony, you must often empty yourself of “good things” so that they stay good things, and don’t become “God-things” in your heart!
Jesus says in Matthew 6:19, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” You will worship (heart) what you treasure. If we give up certain treasures, and seek to put Christ in that place, the promise is that He does come (Mt. 6:33). Seek to add more of Jesus today.
Prayer
Father, thank you that you sent your Son that I might know you. Would you help me to not just cast off the old, but put on the new, which is you, Christ my King. Give me more of you, and teach me what it means to have intimacy with you, even in this season. In your name, Christ, I pray, amen.
—Toriano Mayo
Reflection Questions
What are some "good things" in your life that might be taking the place of the "God-thing"? How can you surrender those to gain more of Christ?
As you consider the season of Lent, what specific practice or habit could help you focus on the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus more deeply?
Read Philippians 3:7-8
Quiet yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to guard and guide your meditation.
First reading. One-minute silent reflection before God. Take notice of whatever captures your attention in the passage or in your inner experience.
Second reading. One-minute silent reflection. Listen for a single word or phrase that particularly strikes you.
Third reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. Listen to how the passage seems to touch your life experience.
Fourth reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. What do you feel the passage might be inviting you to do? What is God inviting you to be? How is God inviting you to change? Spend some time in prayer over what you received from God’s word, and give thanks for his gift to you.
Fasting
When hungry, instead of eating, let prayer and dependence be your sustenance.
Week 4
1 Thessalonians 1:9b-10
... and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
The Lenten season is one of waiting expectantly. Waiting for the day where we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ: the long awaited Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Yet, even more than this, we learn from Paul’s letter to Thessalonica that we should wait all the more eagerly for Christ’s return. That once we turn toward Him for justification, we become people who wait for Him to usher us into complete glorification.
The word for “wait”, in the original Greek, has the idea of waiting with patience and trust. Though we wait, we should do so with a confident expectation in Jesus’s inevitable return. This knowledge bubbles up within us, giving us the ability to suffer long and persevere, no matter our current circumstances!
Prayer
Father God, we confess how difficult it is for us to wait for anything, and all things. So in our weakness, we ask for Your grace and the strength needed to endure all things in this life. Help us, Holy Spirit, to keep our eyes on the day when Christ will return for us in glory. Come Lord Jesus!
— Jenna Moles
Reflection Questions
Friend, what are you waiting for in this season? And, how are you waiting in this season?
Are you waiting in such a way that points towards this tremendous hope we have in Christ?
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:9b-10
Quiet yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to guard and guide your meditation.
First reading. One-minute silent reflection before God. Take notice of whatever captures your attention in the passage or in your inner experience.
Second reading. One-minute silent reflection. Listen for a single word or phrase that particularly strikes you.
Third reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. Listen to how the passage seems to touch your life experience.
Fourth reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. What do you feel the passage might be inviting you to do? What is God inviting you to be? How is God inviting you to change? Spend some time in prayer over what you received from God’s word, and give thanks for his gift to you.
Confession & Repentance
How has the Spirit convicted you this week? Confess this to God and to someone else, turn away and repent of it.
Ezekiel 2:8-3:3
“But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe. And he said to me, “Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. And he said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.
The theme of Ezekiel’s call was to remind the people of Israel who their God was and in turn, their own identity. God called Ezekiel to tell the people to repent from their rebellion and turn back to the LORD and his commands. This was the lamentation, the mourning, and the woe of the Israelites that filled the page. As I read this passage and imagined the scroll in front of me - lamentation, mourning, and woes from my own life - I see the ways that I have similarly grieved God. As I imagined this scroll filled up in front of me, I realized that God sees it all. He sees the sorrow. He sees the pain. He sees my failures, even the ones that hurt him.
We can all agree… Ezekiel, that was weird for you to eat the scroll. In fact though, he didn’t eat the scroll, the text says that he opened his mouth and the Lord fed him the scroll. But what an amazing example of obedience. Despite what was on the scroll, he still accepts the call to receive the scroll. He accepted this call not knowing that on the other side, it would bring a taste as sweet as honey. I wonder if we were to trust the Lord like Ezekiel did, what would we end up experiencing? What would the Lord turn our mourning into? What would we find on the other side of our lamentation? What would our woes become here on earth? When we believe God is who He says he is, when we choose the Word of God over the lies of Satan, we remember and receive life. God’s desire for us, albeit convicting, is always better than what the world or my flesh have to offer.
There is another who obeyed, and is the better Ezekiel to follow. Jesus Christ, our Savior took on the entire world’s woes, mourning and lamentation - the bitter scroll. We know that Jesus wasn’t a robot, he honestly asks the Father - please take this cup away, and then he says “nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). Jesus’ obedience was the only way for all who believe to receive the sweetness of life. His sacrifice for you means everlasting joy and celebration. It means blessing and delight, it means a song of thanksgiving and rejoicing. Obedience to the Lord, means we experience more of him.
Our faith is just that, faith. We don’t always know what our obedience will produce, but our God is kind, he cannot sin against us. So my brothers and sisters, as we reflect on what Christ has done, and what a weight it was that he carried, I hope we reflect on the freedom He brings as we walk with Him, obeying all that He has commanded. You who are in Christ have a song of praise to offer Him, a life of delight to live, and an eternity of gladness, comfort, and peace to experience. His word transforms us, oh, if we would just taste and see…
Prayer
Father, you are a God who sees. I pray that as we spend time with you that we would see more clearly the good you have for us. I pray we would leave our own understanding behind and that we would trust in your understanding and find pleasure with you. Thank you for Jesus, our High Priest, who understands our weaknesses because you were faced with all the same testings as a man, and yet, did not sin. Would we believe that and come to your throne boldly to receive your mercy and find your grace. Thank you for your love, a love which is never ending. Lord, you are worthy of all praise and honor. I pray all these things in Jesus Christ name, amen.
—Andersen Lopez
Reflection Questions
Ezekiel obeyed God’s strange command without knowing the outcome. What is one area in your life where God is calling you to trust Him in obedience, even when it feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable?
God’s Word, though convicting at times, ultimately brings life and sweetness. How can you create space this week to “taste and see” the goodness of God’s Word in your daily life?
Read Ezekiel 2:8-3:3 (ESV)
Quiet yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to guard and guide your meditation.
First reading. One-minute silent reflection before God. Take notice of whatever captures your attention in the passage or in your inner experience.
Second reading. One-minute silent reflection. Listen for a single word or phrase that particularly strikes you.
Third reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. Listen to how the passage seems to touch your life experience.
Fourth reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. What do you feel the passage might be inviting you to do? What is God inviting you to be? How is God inviting you to change? Spend some time in prayer over what you received from God’s word, and give thanks for his gift to you.