Lent Bible Verses for Scripture Reading during the Lenten Season
Lent is a season of reflection, spiritual growth, sacrifice, and generosity. These encouraging Bible verses can help guide you through the 40 days of Lent and lead you to consider the meaning of this sacred season as you integrate the Bible’s teachings into your life.
Lent traditionally lasts forty days, modeled after Christ's forty-day fast in the desert, and ends on Good Friday. In the Western Church, Lent officially begins with a reminder of our mortality on Ash Wednesday. You can read more about the start and end of Lent by visiting When is Lent?
The scriptures below will help you focus on repentance and reflection during the season of Lent. Use this time to grow in your faith as you think about all that Jesus Christ has done for you!
Top 10 Lent Bible Verses
Matthew 6:16-18 - “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Joel 2:12-13 - “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.
Isaiah 58:6-7 - Is this not the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house…
Mark 1:12-13 - At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
1 Peter 5:6 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.
Colossians 2:16-17 - Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
Daniel 9:3 - Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
Psalms 42:1-2 - As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
Isaiah 58:6 - Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
John 16:33 - In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
For a deeper study, read: What Is Lent? It's Biblical Meaning and Purpose.
Let us offer up this prayer as we focus on the heart's affection and mind's attention on Jesus:
Prayer for Lent: Oh God, Whatever I can give up for Lent will never match what you gave. I’m not able to do what you have done, and my small actions serve only as desperate wildflowers waving in an open field of your mercy, in surrender to your majesty. As I clear away distractions you invite me to let go of, hear my prayer of gratitude. Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice of your only Son, Jesus, so that I can know that no matter what the world tempts me with…there is power to overcome. In Jesus’ name, Amen. (Read more: Lent Prayers)
Get your FREE copy of our 40-Day Lent Devotional to lead you in prayer and scripture reading through the Lenten Season! Download it for free HERE.
Read more Bible verses for Lent reflection and inspiration in the collection of scriptures below:
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