Lent is upon us. It’s the time that we prepare and deepen our faith as Easter is approaching. Fortunately, certain bible verses for lent can help accomplish this goal.
You may automatically associate Lent with giving up something, but it’s so much more than that. Yes, it’s a time of fasting and giving up personal indulgence. However, it’s also the perfect time for prayer, personal reflection, and acts of charity.
Another thing that Lent is a good time for is for reading scripture more regularly. We know how powerful reading scripture can be, especially when we start our day with it. It’s powerful all the time, including during Lent.
Bible Verses For Lent Reflection And Focus
Focusing on scripture can remind us of why we’re fasting. It can also remind us of what we are preparing our bodies and soul for. It can also calm our hearts, which is a good goal to have during this Lenten season, too. Here are some bible verses that can help you do all of this. Make it a goal to read one of these every day during Lent.
“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.” – Matthew 6:16-18
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10
A reminder of why it’s important to give back and volunteer during the Lenten season.
“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. – Joel 2:12-13
“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.” – Mark 1:12-13
He was tempted by Satan for forty days! Just like we’ll be tempted by others during these forty days. This is a reminder of why we are fasting, and that we too can stand strong and have support.
“The devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor…” – Matthew 4:8
This bible verse for lent is another reminder of how even Jesus withstood temptation, but he overcame it.
“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?” – Isaiah 58:6
“Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.” – Daniel 9:3
When temptation calls and you feel yourself falling into the temptation of breaking the fast, pray about it. God is there to help support you.
“So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.” – Ezra 8:23
“And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” – Mark 9:29
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18
Use this time to get to know our Lord, better than you ever have. Reading scripture is just one of the ways you can do that.
“As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” – Nehemiah 1:4
“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” – Esther 4:16
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” – 1 Peter 5:6
Lent isn’t just about fasting, it’s also about practicing humility. Humility is something as Christians we are meant to practice year-round. It can get hard, but Lent is a good time to reset and focus on humility and bible verses like these can help us do that.
“When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.” – Psalm 69:10
“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.” – Colossians 2:16-17
Let’s be honest, it can get so awkward if someone offers us a food or beverage that we’re fasting from during Lent. We have to awkwardly tell them that we unfortunately can’t have whatever they are offering. It makes us feel bad. But it shouldn’t, and this verse reminds us of that.
“And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” – Acts 14:23
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
The greatest remind of why we are fasting.
“So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” – Exodus 34:28
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”” – Matthew 4:4
A reminder that our sustenance doesn’t just come from the food that we eat, it also comes from the word of God.
Final Thoughts On Bible Quotes For Reflection And Focus
Lent often focuses on the act of giving something up. However, lets also remember to replace those new voids with something fulfilling. Lent bible verses can help us focus on what lent means. In turn, we can further deepen our faith during this time.
Hopefully these particular collection of lent bible verses can hone your focus. Maybe they can help develop a truer sense of your convictions and commitment to your faith.
About the Author
Michelle graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelors of Arts '13 and a Master of Arts '14. She's currently working in corporate America with a side of freelance writing. She wants you to learn from her experiences and mistakes so your 20s can be your best decade. When she's not working, she's likely planning her escape to a tropical island.