Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, a movable date that falls in either February or March depending on when Easter occurs. While the exact day changes annually, the season is a biblical period of repentance, fasting, and drawing near to God. You may have checked your calendar, wondered when to mark it, or even felt a tug to prepare your heart as you seek to align your soul with Him.
What Is Lent?
Lent is a season of forty days (not counting Sundays) set apart by many Christians for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in preparation for Easter
. It mirrors Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness, where He fasted and was tempted. The word “Lent” comes from an Old English word for spring, but its purpose is spiritual spring cleaning. Scripture points us to moments of intentional waiting and repentance, such as the forty days of rain in Noah’s time, the forty years Israel wandered, and Elijah’s forty-day journey to Horeb.
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.”– Joel 2:12-13 (ESV)
You may think of Lent as a Roman Catholic or Orthodox tradition, but many Protestants now observe it too. It’s not a command in Scripture, but you’ll find its roots in the biblical pattern of setting aside time to seek God. The desire to start Lent often comes from a longing to grow closer to Jesus. That longing is worth following.
Calculating the Dates of Lent
So, when does Lent start? Western churches (Catholic, many Protestant) begin on Ash Wednesday, which is 46 days before Easter (40 days of fasting, excluding Sundays). The date shifts each year: for example, in some years it’s in early February, in others early March. To find the exact date, you need to know when Easter falls. Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. Once Easter is known, Lent begins 46 days before (or 48 for Orthodox). So, Lent’s start is tied directly to the Easter calculation. For Western Lent, it’s Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday (46 days including Sundays, 40 fasting days). For Eastern Orthodox, Great Lent begins on Clean Monday (48 days including Sundays, with stricter fasting) and ends on Holy Saturday as well.
“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:17-18 (ESV)
When Do Christians Start Lent?
Most Christians who observe Lent follow the Western calendar, beginning on Ash Wednesday. However, not all Christians observe Lent at all—some see it as a helpful discipline, others as a tradition not required by Scripture. What matters is your heart. If you feel led to set apart these forty days, you can start on Ash Wednesday or simply begin when the Spirit prompts you.
“For he says, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”– 2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)
When Does Eastern Orthodox Lent Start?
Eastern Orthodox Christians observe Great Lent, which begins on Clean Monday, seven weeks before Easter (including Sundays). That’s because Orthodox Lent counts all 48 days, including Sundays. Clean Monday is also a movable date, usually about two days before Ash Wednesday. The start is marked by a strict fast and a focus on repentance. If you’re Orthodox or curious about Orthodox practice, check the Orthodox calendar for the year.
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?”– Isaiah 58:6 (ESV)
When Does Lent End?
Lent ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. For Western churches, that’s the evening of Holy Saturday—so Lent lasts from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday evening. For Orthodox, Lent ends on the Friday before Lazarus Saturday (the day before Palm Sunday) for some, but traditionally Great Lent ends on Holy Saturday as well. The exact end time varies by denomination, but the purpose is to lead you to the joy of Easter.
“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel.”– 2 Timothy 2:8 (ESV)
You might wonder if Lent ends at midnight or at sundown. Many traditions follow the concept of a liturgical day beginning at sundown, so Lent ends with the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. If you’re observing it at home, you can treat Holy Saturday evening as the close of your fast.
How to Observe Lent
You may have heard about Lent rules: no meat on Fridays, give up something, or take on a spiritual discipline. But Scripture doesn’t give a specific rulebook for Lent. Instead, it gives principles. Fasting should be done in secret, not to impress others. Almsgiving should be generous. Prayer should be sincere.
- Fasting – You choose what to give up (food, media, a habit) to remind you to depend on God. Jesus assumed His followers would fast: “When you fast” (Matthew 6:16).
- Prayer – Add extra time for prayer, maybe a daily Scripture reading. You can follow a Lenten devotional.
- Almsgiving – Give money or time to the poor. Lent is a season of justice and mercy.
“Thus says the Lord: Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed.”– Isaiah 56:1 (ESV)
Some Christians abstain from meat on Fridays, or fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Others give up social media or sweets. The rule is love: let your practice draw you closer to Christ and to others.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”– Romans 14:17 (ESV)
When Did Lent Begin?
Lent as a formal season grew out of the early Church, developing gradually over the first few centuries. The practice of fasting before Easter goes back to the second century, but it wasn’t uniform. By the fourth century, a 40-day period had become common across much of the Church. But Scripture shows the pattern long before: Moses fasted 40 days on Sinai, Elijah fasted 40 days, and most importantly, Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness.
“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days, and when they were ended, he was hungry.”– Luke 4:1-2 (ESV)
Lent emerged as a formal Church season in the early centuries. But as a biblical concept, it begins whenever you decide to follow Jesus into a season of intentional preparation.
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”– 1 Peter 1:13 (ESV)
If this blessed your heart, it might bless someone else too. Share it with someone who needs encouragement today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lent
Do I have to give up something for Lent?
No, Lent is not a command in Scripture. You can choose to give something up as a spiritual discipline, but you can also take something on, like daily Bible reading or volunteering. The goal is to create space for God. If giving up coffee helps you pray more, do it. If it just makes you grumpy, consider a different practice.
Can I eat meat on Fridays during Lent?
Many Christians abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent as a form of penance. This is a tradition in Roman Catholicism and some Protestant denominations. Other Christians don’t follow this rule. Scripture doesn’t command it, so you are free to decide with a clear conscience. Romans 14 reminds us not to judge others in matters of food.
Is Lent only for Catholics?
No, Lent is observed by many Christian traditions: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and others. Some evangelical churches also encourage their members to observe Lent. It’s not about denomination; it’s about a shared desire to prepare for Easter through repentance and prayer.
What are the 40 days of Lent based on?
The 40 days are directly based on Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) and also on the 40-day fasts of Moses and Elijah. The number 40 in the Bible often represents a period of testing, preparation, or judgment. Lent’s 40 days connect you to that biblical pattern.
What is the biblical basis for Lent?
Lent itself is not mentioned in the Bible, but its practices—fasting, prayer, and almsgiving—are commanded or commended throughout Scripture. Jesus taught about fasting and prayer; the early church gathered for prayer and gave to the needy. The season of Lent brings these together in a focused way. It is a tradition that developed to help believers follow the biblical call to repent and prepare for the Lord’s resurrection.
As you think about when Lent starts this year, ask yourself: what is one small step you can take to prepare your heart for Easter? Maybe it’s marking your calendar with Ash Wednesday, or maybe it’s deciding to spend ten extra minutes in prayer each day. Let the Spirit guide you. Remember, the season is about drawing near to the One who gave everything for you.
Do I have to give up something for Lent?
No, Lent is not a command in Scripture. You can choose to give something up as a spiritual discipline, but you can also take something on, like daily Bible reading or volunteering. The goal is to create space for God. If giving up coffee helps you pray more, do it. If it just makes you grumpy, consider a different practice.
Can I eat meat on Fridays during Lent?
Many Christians abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent as a form of penance. This is a tradition in Roman Catholicism and some Protestant denominations. Other Christians don’t follow this rule. Scripture doesn’t command it, so you are free to decide with a clear conscience. Romans 14 reminds us not to judge others in matters of food.
Is Lent only for Catholics?
No, Lent is observed by many Christian traditions: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and others. Some evangelical churches also encourage their members to observe Lent. It’s not about denomination; it’s about a shared desire to prepare for Easter through repentance and prayer.
What are the 40 days of Lent based on?
The 40 days are directly based on Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) and also on the 40-day fasts of Moses and Elijah. The number 40 in the Bible often represents a period of testing, preparation, or judgment. Lent’s 40 days connect you to that biblical pattern.
Start Your Free 7-Day Plan
7 Days of Peace for Anxious Hearts — one short devotional each day, delivered to your inbox.
Naomi Briggs
