What is Lent and how can we connect with God in grief during Lent? I started engaging with Lent in my college years when my boss at the time would come back to the office from lunch break with ashes on his forehead.
“What does Roger have on his face?” I asked.
I’d never seen anything like that before. I thought was he working on something on his car and accidently rubbed a dirty mark on his face? I didn’t have a clue. But then I noticed it was in the shape of a cross. As a sophomore in college, I’d been a Christ follower for a little over 3 years at the time. I thought Lent was a Catholic observance but learned that different Christian denominations observed it.
Lent begins…
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. During Lent, believers may engage in prayer, fasting, repentance, and acts of charity as a way to prepare their hearts for the celebration of Resurrection Sunday, as I like to call it. The Sunday we celebrate Christ’s resurrection. It is a time of spiritual reflection, self-examination, and renewal, mirroring Jesus Christ’s 40 days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness.
In the past, I’ve engaged with Lent by way of prayer and fasting in general. As a way to draw my attention and focus toward the Lord. Yet, I believe that intentionally using this time to lean into who Jesus is, what he’s done, and how and what that specifically means for us, as grievers, I believe will be a powerful experience.
So as the Lenten season is upon us, I thought, how can we engage with this season while grieving? And I came up with these 3 things I believe will be helpful not only during this time of Lent but beyond.
3 Ways to Connect with God in Grief During Lent
Prayer and Reflection
Engage in prayer with God each day. Write out your prayers to God. Include specific prayers about the grief you are experiencing. Find a specific Bible verse and use it in your prayer. Include specific prayers about the grief you are facing, bringing your struggles and burdens before God. Ask for His strength to carry you through difficult moments, His comfort to soothe your heartache, and His wisdom to navigate the complexities of grief.
Use specific language to describe your feelings and needs, knowing that God hears and understands every word you speak to Him. For example, you might pray using Psalm 34:18, which says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Begin your prayer by acknowledging God’s presence and His promise to be near to those who are hurting.
Fasting with Purpose
Fasting is a traditional practice during Lent that involves voluntarily refraining from food or other activities for a specific spiritual purpose. By denying oneself of physical nourishment or indulgences, individuals create space for deeper spiritual reflection, prayer, and dependence on God. Fasting during Lent is not merely about abstaining from food but also about redirecting one’s focus towards God and seeking His will in one’s life.
Scripture affirms the value of fasting as a means of seeking God’s intervention, guidance, and breakthrough. One example is in Matthew 17:21, where Jesus tells his disciples, “But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” This can be so true on this grief journey. Dedicating time to fast gives us opportunity to draw nearer to the Lord. And for him to draw nearer to us, and will help us to sense his presence in grief.
Spiritual Reading
I love to read so I’ve included spiritual reading here. But if you don’t like reading you can engage by listening to an audio book. Or the Bible on your favorite Bible app. Set aside time for spiritual reading during Lent, explore books, devotions. Or articles that focus on themes of grief, hope, and faith. Choose readings that resonate with your own journey of grief and offer insights into God’s presence and promises. Allow the words to guide and inspire you as you seek comfort and peace in God’s Word.
I’ll end with this quote I believe sums up this time of Lent for those of us who are grieving.
“Lent is a time to renew wherever we are in that process that I call the divine therapy.”
Joan D. Chittister
Every loss is worthy of the space and grace to grieve. Can You Just Sit with Me? grief book will point you to the hope we have in Christ.
Get the book here.