Lent 2026
The Church observes Lent as a preparation for Passion-tide and Easter and as a time of more focused growth in Christ-likeness, holiness and maturity. By self-denial and the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting, study and worship, in a more concentrated way over six and a half weeks, we seek to train our souls and partner with God in his gracious work in our lives.
This year Ash Wednesday is on the 18th February. There will be a service in church with Imposition of Ash at 8pm.
This year I came across a book by Gary Thomas called: Sacred Pathways: Nine Ways to Connect with God. In it he describes nine different temperaments and how each might better connect with God. Maybe you can discover that there is a different way for you to grow closer to Jesus and to feel the presence of the Father. There is a useful summary on Gary's blog here.
I recommend at least reading this blog and asking which of these really connect with you. What are your top two or three ways of experiencing something of God? Then lean into those over Lent.
Alternatively you might trying something new, something outside of your comfort zone and natural preference. Sometimes going into new territory for a season can open up new vistas of how God works in us and in others.
Lent Talks from 2022
Here are some Lent talks based on this passage:
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I Timothy 6:11-12
These two verses from Paul’s first letter to his apprentice are packed with urgent exhortation to godliness. But what does Paul’s charge to Timothy mean and how can we put it into practice in our own lives? What are the Lenten practices that might help us to follow these imperatives?
1. Flee from all this
2. Pursue righteousness and godliness
3. Pursue faith and love
4. Pursue endurance and gentleness
5. Fight the good fight of the faith Take hold of eternal life