Lent Prayers

A prayer for the whole season. Often searched as “lent prayer” or “lent prayers”.

Lord, I begin these forty days wanting to come closer to You and not knowing how. Strip away what keeps me busy and distracted. Show me what I have been leaning on instead of You. Give me small, faithful steps rather than big plans I will drop by Friday. Let this season make me quieter, kinder, and more honest. Walk with me through the desert toward the light on the other side. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Plain words for a season that asks something of you. Often searched as “christian prayers for lent”.

“Yet even now,” says Yahweh, “turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.” Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:12-13

Father, thank You that Lent is an invitation and not a test. I come as I am: distracted, stubborn, and hungry for more of You. Teach me to turn back to You with my whole heart, and not only with my habits. Where I have grown cold, warm me. Where I have grown proud, humble me. Where I have given up, lift me. Prepare my heart for Easter, and let me meet You there. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For the long middle, when the first weeks of enthusiasm have worn off. Often searched as “prayer lenten season” or “prayer for lent”.

Lord of this season, I need You for the long middle of it. The first days are easy; the weeks after are not. When I get tired of the fast, remind me why I began. When I fall short, do not let me quit. Hold me to the small promise I made, and be gentle with me when I break it. Keep my eyes on the cross ahead, and on the empty tomb beyond it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For Ash Wednesday morning, or whenever you start. Often searched as “prayer for the beginning of lent”.

Lord, today I start. I do not feel ready, and I am not sure I will finish. But I am here, and I give You these forty days. Search my heart and show me what needs to change. Give me one small thing to give up and one small thing to take up, and the grace to keep both. Let me begin with You, and not with my own strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.

One prayer to say every morning and evening of the season. Often searched as “lent daily prayers”.

Good morning, Lord. This is one more day of Lent, and I give it to You. Whatever I have given up, let it remind me of You. Whatever I have taken on, let me do it in love. Give me one small, kind thing to do today. At night, help me look back honestly, ask Your forgiveness, and sleep in peace. Be with me in the ordinary hours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For the minute you have. Say one in the morning and one at night. Often searched as “short prayers for lent”.

Lord, I am Yours today. Keep me honest, keep me humble, and keep me close. Let what I give up make room for You. Forgive me where I fail today, and help me begin again tomorrow. Lead me through these forty days to Easter. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A prayer in the Catholic tradition of the season: almsgiving, fasting, and prayer. Often searched as “catholic lenten prayers”.

Merciful Father, in these forty days draw me back to You by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Make my prayer humble, my fasting honest, and my giving generous. Let me not do these things to be seen, but so that I might be changed. Mary, mother of the Lord, walk beside me to the cross and beyond. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the 3 p.m. moment when you really want it back.

Lord, I want it back. It is three in the afternoon, and what I gave up is calling my name. Let this craving turn me toward You instead. Show me what I was reaching for when I reached for it. If I give in, forgive me; if I hold on, keep me from pride. Make this small sacrifice a real offering, and fill the empty place with Yourself. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For the day you broke what you promised. You do not have to start over; you just have to come back.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Lord, I did it. I broke what I promised, and I feel a little foolish. Thank You that I do not have to start the forty days over; I only have to come back. I am sorry. Pick me up, brush me off, and set me on the road again. Teach me that Lent is about You holding on to me, not me holding on to a rule. In Jesus’ name, amen.

To say around the table, or at bedtime with children.

Lord, our family is walking through Lent together. Help us give something up and give something away. Help us be kinder at home, slower to anger, and quicker to say sorry. Bless the little sacrifices each of us is making, and let us remember why. Bring us together to Easter morning with glad hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Before the day starts asking things of you.

Good morning, Lord. Before the noise begins, I give You this day of Lent. Be the first voice I listen to. Let my small sacrifice today open a little more room for You. Walk with me through the work and the waiting, and bring me back to You tonight. I am Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.