20 Lent Bible verses to guide prayer, repentance & renewal

February 9, 2026

Lent is a sacred season in the Church calendar—a time set apart for reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal as Christians await Easter. 

During the 40 days leading up to Resurrection Sunday, Lent invites believers to slow down, examine their hearts, and draw closer to God through prayer, fasting, and Scripture.

A meaningful way to deepen engagement this season is through Lent Bible verses that point back to God’s grace, truth, and transforming power. Whether observed individually, with family, or within a church community, these Bible verses for Lent help shape prayer and intentionality throughout the Lenten season.

The importance of scripture during Lent

As people around the world reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross, Bible verses about Lent help ground spiritual practices and behavior in God’s word rather than routine or tradition alone. Scripture is a reminder of the need for repentance, but also of God’s mercy, faithfulness, and desire to restore people.

Reading Bible verses for the Lenten season helps Christians confront sin with humility, practice spiritual discipline with hope, and trust that God is at work within us—shaping us more into the likeness of Jesus.

Bible verses for Lent about fasting & spiritual discipline

Fasting and spiritual discipline help create space for God to work in our hearts. During Lent, these practices act as a reminder to depend less on yourself and more on God.

Matthew 6:16-18 “And whenever you fast, do not look somber, like the hypocrites, for they mark their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Isaiah 58:5-6 Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

Hebrews 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Matthew 4:1-2 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was famished.

Lent Bible verses about repentance 

At the heart of Lent is a call to repentance—a turning away from sin and a turning back to God. These Lenten Bible verses invite you to examine your heart honestly and respond with confession, humility, and faith. 

Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Mark 1:4-5 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “... if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Mark 1:15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Lenten Bible verses about prayer

May scripture and prayer deepen your connection with God and anchor you throughout the Lenten season. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

John 17:9-10 “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.”

Bible verses for the Lenten season about hope & renewal

While Lent is a season marked by reflection and repentance, it is also filled with hope. May these Lent Bible verses remind you that God is always at work—bringing new life, healing, and restoration.

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer.

Ezekiel 36:25-26 “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Lamentations 3:21-23 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

How to use these Bible verses for Lent 

These Lenten Bible verses are meant to be lived with, not just read once and set aside. Here are a few meaningful ways to incorporate them into your discipleship journey this Lent:

  • Daily devotionals or Bible reading plans: Read a verse each day, reflecting on how it applies to you.
  • Small groups or Bible studies: Use these verses as discussion starters for group prayer, confession & encouragement.
  • Church services or special events: Incorporate them into sermons, scripture readings, or guided prayer moments leading up to Easter.
  • Personal prayer time: Meditate on a verse during prayer. Consider quiet reflection or journaling.

However you choose to engage, allow these Bible Verses for Lent to inspire you and draw your heart closer to God.

Prepare your hearts for Easter

Lent is not just about “giving something up.” It’s about making room for God to do something new within you.

As Easter approaches, let these Bible verses remind you that the journey to the cross ultimately leads to resurrection. May this season prepare your heart to fully celebrate the joy, freedom, and new life we have through Jesus.

As you and your church prepare for Easter, we hope these scriptures help shape meaningful moments of worship, reflection, and connection. We’re honored to serve over 20,000 churches and organizations around the world with digital engagement tools designed to help share the gospel and reach people with the hope of Jesus.

Is your church ready to reach even more people this Easter and beyond?

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Author

Olivia Massimiano, Content Marketing Manager
www.subsplash.com

Inspired by her experience as a church volunteer and member, Olivia is passionate about equipping churches with compelling and useful content. When she’s not working, you’ll usually find her at the movies, exploring the Pacific Northwest, or spoiling her dog.

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