Lent is a season in the Church Calendar, beginning on Ash Wednesday (February 18, 2026) and concluding with the celebration of Jesus’s resurrection on Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026), where we engage intentionally in deeper prayer, fasting and giving.
Share Jesus
Lent is the 40 days (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter. It is a season of preparation and an opportunity to go deeper with God.
At Calvary, we are invited each year to focus on developing in the disciplines of prayer, fasting and giving. Our hope is that by spending more intentional time with these disciplines, we will draw closer to God and experience a richer celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter.
One of the greatest blessings of Christ’s resurrection is seeing others come to faith. Therefore, this Lent we are asking you to:
- Pray for those who don’t know Jesus
- Fast from things that keep you from sharing Jesus with others
- Give the gospel to those in your life who desperately need to live in its power
Each of us interacts regularly with someone, a neighbor, a classmate, a co-worker, who needs the light and love of God to break into their darkness. Below is a prayer calendar to inspire and guide your prayers for these people throughout Lent. In addition, each Sunday has a small idea for a way you can add a Gospel focus to your relationships. Our hope is that you will have spiritual conversations and share the Gospel with the people that God has uniquely placed in your life. Then invite them to celebrate Easter with us, experiencing together Jesus’s resurrected power to change lives.
Lent Calendar
You can pick up a printed Lent Guide in the back of the Sanctuary. Or download a digital copy of the Lent Prayer Calendar to view or print at home. Note: this is sized to 8.5×14″ (Legal Paper).
Resources for Presenting the Gospel
Two great resources in exploring answers to common questions about life and God can be found at these links:
Additional Support For March 29: Have them read these seven verses one by one and ask what they heard and what it means. Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:3, John 14:6, Romans 10:9-11, 2 Corinthians 5:15, and Revelation3:20. Let God’s Word convict them.
Text “Lent2026” to 94000. You’ll be prompted to send back the first name(s) of the one(s) you are praying for. Our prayer team will then join you in praying for their salvation throughout Lent.
Throughout the year, Calvary Church offers opportunities for above and beyond giving outside of a regular tithing practice. We use the season of Lent to focus on the Jonathan Fund. This is our church’s fund set aside to encourage those within our church body who are suffering. As you prepare for Easter, consider giving to this fund or finding other ways to encourage those who are suffering that they may persevere through trial.
- Give Online at calvarygr.org/give
Calvary Church accepts online donations through checking or savings accounts, as well as debit and credit cards. - Text Your Gift Amount & Jonathan to 616-294-0700
The first time you text to give, you will be prompted to visit a secure URL. Once you click the registration link, you will enter your credit or debit card information. At this point your donation will process and you will receive a confirmation text. - Give in person or by mail
If you would like to designate your offering to the Jonathan Fund, giving envelopes are available in the racks between the seats in the Sanctuary. You can also mail your gift to: PO Box 1600, Grand Rapids MI 49501.
Take it slow and simple. If this is your first introduction to the spiritual disciplines, consider just beginning with prayer and fasting. Don’t get overwhelmed with adding on all the things at one time. Pick one discipline and develop that habit before moving forward.
Don’t be afraid to try again tomorrow. Accept that the Lord’s mercies are new every day and don’t allow yourself to get discouraged if you miss a step along the way.
Find a community to practice Lent with. Whether it’s a group of co-workers, friends you eat lunch with at school, or your own family—Lent is a great opportunity to encourage one another in your walk with Jesus. Tell a friend what disciplines the Lord is highlighting for you to pursue, and consider asking them to hold you accountable to continue in that practice.
While the practice of fasting is fairly personal, it’s helpful to know that we’re doing this together as a church community.
In the early centuries of the church, the forty days before Easter came to be recognized as the season of Lent (a Latin word that means “spring”), when new converts were prepared for baptism. This preparation included biblical instruction, prayer, repentance and fasting. In time, the practices of Lent were embraced by the entire church. We continue to mark this season by celebrating baptism during our Easter services. If you are ready to make a public proclamation of your faith in Jesus, to publicly turn your back on sin and take on the new life of Jesus, consider being baptized.
Contact the Deacon of Baptism, Becky Caminiti, to sign up, or receive more information about baptism at Calvary Church.