7 Prayers to Say During Each Week of Lent
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- Updated Jan 30, 2024
Lent, the sacred season that leads up to Easter, is an important time to prepare ourselves spiritually to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection. Lent mirrors the 40-day period Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness while he was preparing for his public ministry. Just as Jesus set special time aside to get ready for an important spiritual pursuit, we can set aside the time before Easter to grow in holiness. Observing Lent helps us journey with Jesus to Easter in profound ways. Saying prayers for each week of Lent puts us in regular communication with Jesus so that when Easter arrives, we’ll be ready to fully respond to the redemptive work he wants to do in our lives.
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which reminds us of our mortality and God’s call to repent of our sins and find forgiveness through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It continues through Holy Saturday, when we consider the spiritual darkness in our fallen world, and before Easter Sunday when we celebrate the hope Jesus offers as the Light of the World.
As we pray during the weeks leading up to Easter, Lent can become a wondrous pilgrimage of spiritual exploration and discovery. We can take an honest look at where we are in our relationships with God. Then, we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us heal and grow in ways that strengthen our faith. As we journey through Lent, we can emerge with hearts and minds that fully appreciate the significance of Easter. Lent is a sacred pause – a deliberate time to focus on listening to God. It’s a time to examine our priorities, to strip away what doesn’t truly matter, and to devote ourselves more fully to God. It’s also a time to acknowledge our need for God’s help and to create space for God to work in our lives. By observing Lent, we prepare to celebrate a meaningful Easter, so we’re ready to invite God to send his Resurrection power into our lives.
Here are prayers for each week of Lent to communicate with Jesus as we journey with him through this sacred time leading up to Easter.
Week 1: Ash Wednesday – Prayer of Repentance and Humility
Dear God, as I start this journey with you through Lent, I approach you with humility. I confess my sins – known and unknown – to you, and ask for your forgiveness and help to grow closer to you during Lent. I acknowledge my human frailty and my need for your grace and mercy. Psalm 51:10 and Psalm 51:17 both say: “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” Please break my heart with what breaks yours, and motivate me to change in all the ways you want me to change, so I can become more like Jesus. Thank you for meeting me in the middle of my brokenness and working in my life with your great love. Give me the grace to turn away from sin in all parts of my life, and the strength to pursue holiness. Create a pure heart in me, inspiring me to walk in your ways. May your forgiveness propel me forward with a commitment to live in the light of your truth. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Week 2: Prayer of Surrender
Dear God, during this second week of Lent, I renew my commitment to following your Son, Jesus. Help me surrender my life completely to you. Please give me wisdom and discernment so I can live my life with purpose. Help me turn away from pursuing anything that doesn’t align with your will. I want for myself what you want for me – the best life possible – so I can become the person you want me to become. Matthew 16:24 records: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” As I surrender my will to yours, help me find true freedom by following Jesus. May my choices reflect my devotion to you, and may you lead me to joy in your presence. Thank you, God. Amen.
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Week 3: Prayer of Compassion
Dear God, as I enter the third week of Lent, please give me a heart of compassion. Open my eyes to the needs of others and cultivate within me a deep sense of justice. Motivate me to help others when I can, and to practice intentional kindness day by day. Micah 6:8 declares: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Teach me to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly in your ways. May my life be a testament to your love, grace, and compassion for all your creation. Strengthen my resolve to be an agent of positive change in the world, reflecting your character in all my relationships. Let your love flow through my life on a regular basis. Amen.
Week 4: Prayer of Gratitude
Dear God, as I approach the middle of Lent, my soul is filled with gratitude for you. Thank you for who you are. Thank you for the wonder of your work in my life. No matter what circumstances I’m going through, I know I can trust you to be there with me. You give me everything I need. You’re constantly pouring blessings into my life, because you’re such a loving and generous God. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the Bible encourages me to: “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Please help me to live each day with a thankful heart and mind, relying on you in both joy and sorrow. Give me the wisdom to see your plan at work in my life, and let my gratitude point other people to your faithfulness. Thank you, wonderful Father. Amen.
Week 5: Prayer of Healing
Dear God, during this fifth week of Lent, please help me heal from the brokenness in my life. James 5:16 exhorts me to: “… confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” I confess that I’m struggling with sin in these areas of my life [confess specific struggles]. God, I repent of those unhealthy behaviors and commit to healthy change. Please show me what changes you want me to make so I can stop unhealthy habits and develop new, healthy habits – for my spirit, mind, and body, as well as for my relationships with others. Empower me through your Holy Spirit to make each of those changes, and lead me to a caring and trustworthy friend who will encourage me and hold me accountable in the process. Thank you for your help on my healing journey. I want to emerge from Lent with stronger spiritual, mental, and physical, and relational health. On Easter, I want to celebrate your Resurrection power at work in my life, leading me to keep growing healthier as I walk with you day by day. I will rely on your strength to help me heal. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Week 6: Prayer of Strength
Dear God, as I go into Holy Week, I’m especially aware of my need for strength beyond my own abilities. Philippians 4:13 promises: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Please give me your strength when I’m weak and remind me that with you, I can overcome any challenges in my life with unwavering faith. Give me the perseverance to continue this journey through Lent with you all the way to the end. Thank you that I can rely on your strength to sustain me in all situations. I pray this with confidence and trust that you will help me keep going – and keep growing – as I keep focusing on you. Thank you, mighty God. Amen.
Week 7: Holy Saturday - Prayer of Anticipation and Renewal
Dear God, on this Holy Saturday, when I remember the time between Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection, teach me the beauty of patience and reliance on your perfect timing. Isaiah 40:31 encourages me: “… 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.” As I look forward to Easter, I’m anticipating a joyful time of celebrating your Resurrection. Thank you for the hope you have made a reality for me. I know that when I die, I will be with you in heaven because of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice that gives me ultimate hope. I place all of my hope in you, wonderful Father. In the final stretch of this journey, I’m excited by how you’ve transformed me, giving me a deeper understanding of your love and a renewed commitment to living out my faith daily. Thank you, God. Amen.
In conclusion, as we pray during each week of Lent, we can notice God’s presence with us on this sacred pilgrimage. Every prayer can help us grow closer to God and experience more of his great love in our lives. Then, we can emerge from Lent ready to celebrate Easter with a full awareness of Easter’s significance in our lives. The journey doesn’t end when Lent ends. It turns into a continual conversation with God as we keep praying and enjoying a closer relationship with God. The discipline of prayer during Lent is a powerful tool that refines our character, strengthens our faith, and aligns our priorities with God’s heart.
Photo Credit: ©Getty/Tinnakorn Jorruang
