40 DAYS TO EASTER
FEBRUARY 18 - APRIL 4
Lent is historically the forty days before Easter when we participate in a time of fasting. Whether it’s fasting food, social media, or another distraction, the goal is to create space in our lives to seek God’s face and prepare our hearts for Easter weekend. These forty days have been used by followers of Jesus for thousands of years as a time to narrow our focus to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The goal of this weekly fast isn’t just to give up important things but to actually create an opportunity to have Jesus reveal our spiritual needs and understand how He perfectly meets each and every one.
We encourage you to take the time gained from whatever you’re fasting and replace it with prayer.
We encourage you to take the time gained from whatever you’re fasting and replace it with prayer.
Join us in fasting and prayer and sign up to receive weekly reminders and encouraging devotional thoughts throughout this season.
Fasting Schedule
Week 1 // Social Media
February 18-21
Fast From:
Intentionally limit or remove social media and unnecessary phone use.
Key Scripture:
“The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.” (Mark 1:14–15)
Heart Response
This week, we step back from the constant noise of social media and online distraction so we can become aware again of the God who is near. So often we reach for our phones without thinking, looking for comfort, validation, or escape, but in doing so we miss the quiet invitation of His presence. Fasting from digital noise is not about rules, it is about realignment. As we limit distractions, we make space to notice what has been shaping our attention and gently turn our hearts back toward the King who is already close.
Reflection Prompts
○ Where do I resist God’s authority in my daily life?
○ What habit most competes for my attention?
○ If repentance is realignment, what specifically needs to change this week?
Fast From:
Intentionally limit or remove social media and unnecessary phone use.
Key Scripture:
“The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.” (Mark 1:14–15)
Heart Response
This week, we step back from the constant noise of social media and online distraction so we can become aware again of the God who is near. So often we reach for our phones without thinking, looking for comfort, validation, or escape, but in doing so we miss the quiet invitation of His presence. Fasting from digital noise is not about rules, it is about realignment. As we limit distractions, we make space to notice what has been shaping our attention and gently turn our hearts back toward the King who is already close.
Reflection Prompts
○ Where do I resist God’s authority in my daily life?
○ What habit most competes for my attention?
○ If repentance is realignment, what specifically needs to change this week?
Week 2 // Sweets + Desserts
February 23-28
Fast From:
Refrain from sweets, desserts, and foods you associate with comfort.
Key Scripture:
A man with leprosy came to Him and begged Him on his knees, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Jesus was indignant. He reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean.” (Mark 1:40–45)
Heart Response
This week, as we fast from sweets and comfort foods, we allow our physical cravings to reveal something deeper in us. So often we reach for comfort when we feel stressed, lonely, or overwhelmed, trying to soothe what only God can truly heal. In Mark 1 we see that Jesus is not reluctant in His love but willing to reach toward our need with compassion. As hunger surfaces, let it remind you that the God who has power also has tenderness for you. Instead of numbing discomfort, bring it honestly before Him and allow His mercy to meet you there.
Reflection Prompts
○ Where do I struggle to believe God is willing to meet me?
○ What shame am I still carrying as identity?
○ Who in my life do I instinctively avoid rather than move toward?
Fast From:
Refrain from sweets, desserts, and foods you associate with comfort.
Key Scripture:
A man with leprosy came to Him and begged Him on his knees, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Jesus was indignant. He reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean.” (Mark 1:40–45)
Heart Response
This week, as we fast from sweets and comfort foods, we allow our physical cravings to reveal something deeper in us. So often we reach for comfort when we feel stressed, lonely, or overwhelmed, trying to soothe what only God can truly heal. In Mark 1 we see that Jesus is not reluctant in His love but willing to reach toward our need with compassion. As hunger surfaces, let it remind you that the God who has power also has tenderness for you. Instead of numbing discomfort, bring it honestly before Him and allow His mercy to meet you there.
Reflection Prompts
○ Where do I struggle to believe God is willing to meet me?
○ What shame am I still carrying as identity?
○ Who in my life do I instinctively avoid rather than move toward?
Week 3 // TV + Movies
March 2-7
Fast From:
TV, streaming, and movies. Do not simply replace them with another distraction. Let the absence create space.
Key Scripture:
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
(Mark 10:42–45)
Heart Response
This week, as we fast from TV, streaming, and entertainment, we create space to examine the stories that have been shaping our idea of greatness. Much of what we consume celebrates recognition, influence, and personal success, but Jesus reveals that true greatness is found in humble service and self-giving love. Stepping away from entertainment allows our minds to be renewed and our ambitions to be recalibrated around the Servant King. In the quiet that follows, ask God to reshape how you define success and to form in you a heart that values faithfulness over applause.
Reflection Prompts
○ How have I defined success in my own life?
○ Where do I seek recognition more than faithfulness?
○ What would serving without being noticed look like for me this week?
Fast From:
TV, streaming, and movies. Do not simply replace them with another distraction. Let the absence create space.
Key Scripture:
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
(Mark 10:42–45)
Heart Response
This week, as we fast from TV, streaming, and entertainment, we create space to examine the stories that have been shaping our idea of greatness. Much of what we consume celebrates recognition, influence, and personal success, but Jesus reveals that true greatness is found in humble service and self-giving love. Stepping away from entertainment allows our minds to be renewed and our ambitions to be recalibrated around the Servant King. In the quiet that follows, ask God to reshape how you define success and to form in you a heart that values faithfulness over applause.
Reflection Prompts
○ How have I defined success in my own life?
○ Where do I seek recognition more than faithfulness?
○ What would serving without being noticed look like for me this week?
Week 4 // Caffeine
March 9-14
Fast From:
Reduce or eliminate caffeine in a way that is wise and healthy for you.
Key Scripture:
“Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? … Do you not remember?” (Mark 8:17–21)
Heart Response
As we fast from caffeine, we allow our lowered energy and slower pace to expose how much we rely on our own strength. So often we push through fatigue, treating progress and productivity as proof of growth, yet Jesus remains patient with disciples who do not understand right away. His commitment to us is steady, not rushed. When tiredness surfaces, let it become an invitation to trust His timing rather than your own urgency. Instead of striving to accelerate your growth, rest in the truth that the Patient God is forming you faithfully, one obedient step at a time.
Reflection Prompts
○ Where do I feel pressure to be further along spiritually?
○ How have I been impatient with my own growth?
○ How might God be using this season to form perseverance in me?
Fast From:
Reduce or eliminate caffeine in a way that is wise and healthy for you.
Key Scripture:
“Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? … Do you not remember?” (Mark 8:17–21)
Heart Response
As we fast from caffeine, we allow our lowered energy and slower pace to expose how much we rely on our own strength. So often we push through fatigue, treating progress and productivity as proof of growth, yet Jesus remains patient with disciples who do not understand right away. His commitment to us is steady, not rushed. When tiredness surfaces, let it become an invitation to trust His timing rather than your own urgency. Instead of striving to accelerate your growth, rest in the truth that the Patient God is forming you faithfully, one obedient step at a time.
Reflection Prompts
○ Where do I feel pressure to be further along spiritually?
○ How have I been impatient with my own growth?
○ How might God be using this season to form perseverance in me?
Week 5 // Shopping for Non-Essentials
March 16-21
Fast From:
Purchasing non-essential items. Continue buying what is necessary, but avoid impulse spending, browsing, or “treating yourself.
Key Scripture:
“Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? … Do you not remember?” (Mark 8:17–21)
Heart Response
We allow our impulses to reveal where we look for relief instead of surrender. When stress or disappointment rises, it is easy to reach for something tangible to regain a sense of control, but in Gethsemane Jesus shows us a different way. He brings His anguish honestly to the Father and entrusts Himself to God’s will. As the urge to purchase or browse surfaces, let it become an invitation to pray with that same honesty. Rather than escaping discomfort, bring it before God and learn the quiet strength of saying, not my will, but Yours.
Reflection Prompts
○ What obedience feels costly in my life right now?
○ Where am I resisting God’s will because it disrupts my comfort?
○ What emotion do I most often avoid bringing into prayer?
Fast From:
Purchasing non-essential items. Continue buying what is necessary, but avoid impulse spending, browsing, or “treating yourself.
Key Scripture:
“Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? … Do you not remember?” (Mark 8:17–21)
Heart Response
We allow our impulses to reveal where we look for relief instead of surrender. When stress or disappointment rises, it is easy to reach for something tangible to regain a sense of control, but in Gethsemane Jesus shows us a different way. He brings His anguish honestly to the Father and entrusts Himself to God’s will. As the urge to purchase or browse surfaces, let it become an invitation to pray with that same honesty. Rather than escaping discomfort, bring it before God and learn the quiet strength of saying, not my will, but Yours.
Reflection Prompts
○ What obedience feels costly in my life right now?
○ Where am I resisting God’s will because it disrupts my comfort?
○ What emotion do I most often avoid bringing into prayer?
Week 6 // Food
March 23-28
Fast From:
Choose one day this week to skip one full meal.
Key Scripture:
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. (Mark 10:32–34)
Heart Response
As we fast from one meal, we allow hunger to remind us that surrender is trust in motion. Jesus walked ahead toward Jerusalem knowing what awaited Him, and still He led the way. When hunger rises, let it expose how deeply we crave control and comfort. Instead of rushing to satisfy it, bring your uncertainty, your plans, and your fears before God. Let every ache become a quiet prayer of dependence. We do not follow Christ because the path feels safe, but because the One who leads us is trustworthy.
Reflection Prompts
○ Where is God leading me that feels uncertain or uncomfortable?
○ What am I still trying to control instead of surrender?
○ Do I trust Christ enough to follow Him when the path is unclear?
Fast From:
Choose one day this week to skip one full meal.
Key Scripture:
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. (Mark 10:32–34)
Heart Response
As we fast from one meal, we allow hunger to remind us that surrender is trust in motion. Jesus walked ahead toward Jerusalem knowing what awaited Him, and still He led the way. When hunger rises, let it expose how deeply we crave control and comfort. Instead of rushing to satisfy it, bring your uncertainty, your plans, and your fears before God. Let every ache become a quiet prayer of dependence. We do not follow Christ because the path feels safe, but because the One who leads us is trustworthy.
Reflection Prompts
○ Where is God leading me that feels uncertain or uncomfortable?
○ What am I still trying to control instead of surrender?
○ Do I trust Christ enough to follow Him when the path is unclear?
Holy Week
March 30-April 4
Fast From:
Return to one of the fasting practices you have already experienced during Lent.
Key Scripture:
“Surely this man was the Son of God.” (Mark 15:33–39)
Heart Response
As we enter Holy Week, we slow down and remain at the cross. It is easy to rush ahead to resurrection, but the crucifixion reveals both the weight of our sin and the depth of God’s mercy. Jesus does not turn away from suffering. He stays. As you return to one of the fasting practices from earlier in Lent, let it draw your attention back to what the cross cost and what it accomplished. Allow gratitude to deepen, surrender to become more complete, and grace to feel less familiar and more astonishing. The King we follow is crucified, and that truth reshapes everything.
Reflection Prompts
○ What does the cross reveal about the seriousness of sin?
○ What does it reveal about the depth of God’s mercy?
○ How should the crucified King reshape the way I live?
Fast From:
Return to one of the fasting practices you have already experienced during Lent.
Key Scripture:
“Surely this man was the Son of God.” (Mark 15:33–39)
Heart Response
As we enter Holy Week, we slow down and remain at the cross. It is easy to rush ahead to resurrection, but the crucifixion reveals both the weight of our sin and the depth of God’s mercy. Jesus does not turn away from suffering. He stays. As you return to one of the fasting practices from earlier in Lent, let it draw your attention back to what the cross cost and what it accomplished. Allow gratitude to deepen, surrender to become more complete, and grace to feel less familiar and more astonishing. The King we follow is crucified, and that truth reshapes everything.
Reflection Prompts
○ What does the cross reveal about the seriousness of sin?
○ What does it reveal about the depth of God’s mercy?
○ How should the crucified King reshape the way I live?
Next Gen
Hey Parents!
We want to equip you to help your child learn about lent. Check out our Activity Calendars for ways they can get involved.
We want to equip you to help your child learn about lent. Check out our Activity Calendars for ways they can get involved.