As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.” 

- Mark 2:19-20


Lent is meant to be a time of preparation, modeled after the 40 days of fasting Jesus spent in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry. It’s a time to humbly lament our sin, survey the cross, and anticipate the explosive joy of Resurrection Sunday. From beginning to end, we celebrate the fact that, as disciples of Jesus, we have no condemnation hanging over us. But many will choose to fast from certain pleasures during Lent to clear distractions, to focus on Christ, and to increase our hunger for him. Giving up something and replacing it with prayer and worship gives way to a deeper relationship with God and helps us more deeply experience the joy of knowing him.

This Lenten season, please join us in prayer and fasting as we look forward to celebrating Christ’s victory over sin and death at the resurrection and, ultimately, to the consummation of his kingdom at the wedding supper of the Lamb.

Lent Weekly Prayer Card

WEEK THREE

This week our focus is submission.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:1-11

Thank you, Jesus, for your perfect example of a life submitted and surrendered to the Father’s will. With sobering knowledge of your certain death, you did not squirm or retreat in the face of unjust earthly authorities; but submitted in humble confidence, trusting in the perfect plans and purpose of your Father. We ask that you continually help us to submit to the Father’s will by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pray for unbelievers to surrender to God and for believers to humbly submit to God in all things.