Can you believe it is March already? If you’re like me, this year has already been jam-packed with activity. Today begins the season of Lent, a time of reflection leading up to Easter. I grew up in a faith tradition that didn’t observe the Lenten season. I had friends who did, but I really didn’t get it. The church I attend now does observe Lent, so I have been trying to better understand what it is all about.
Lent refers to the 40 days(not including Sundays) that precede Easter. The 40 days represent Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (story found in Matthew 4:1-17). Lent is often associated with giving up some vice as a form of penance. This is to remember Jesus fasting in the wilderness. Today, many commit to a positive action (giving, acts of service, etc.) or spiritual discipline (prayer, Scripture reading, devotions) to commemorate this time. Overall, Lent is a time to prepare our hearts for the joyous occasion of Easter. Christ demonstrated amazing love by sacrificing himself for our sins.
I want to use this season to refocus and to make faith my main priority again. For this reason, I have created a 40-day reading plan for the Lenten season. Because the 40-day period of Lent does not count the seven Sundays that fall during this time, I have not scheduled a specific reading for those days. You can use that time to catch up on readings or to read on your own.
Daily Bible Reading Plan for Lent 2017:
You can print this reading plan to keep track during this season:
I hope you are able to reconnect with God in the weeks ahead. Life probably won’t slow down. It seems it never does, but maybe you can have some slow moments with just you and God.
Until next time!