Lent at The City

5 March, Ash Wednesday to 19 April, Holy Saturday

What is Lent? 

Lent is a significant season in the Christian liturgical calendar, observed over forty days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, leading up to Resurrection Sunday (excluding Sundays). The word “Lent” comes from the Latin quadragesima, meaning “fortieth.” 

Throughout Scripture, the number forty symbolizes preparation, testing, divine revelation, and God’s supernatural provision – seen in events like Noah’s forty days of rain, Israel’s forty years in the wilderness, and Jesus’ forty days of fasting in the desert. In the same way, Lent invites us into a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal as we journey with Jesus through His life, suffering, death, burial, and ultimate resurrection.

Though not a biblical requirement, observing Lent allows us to enter more deeply into the story of Jesus and His work on the cross. Rooted in both Scripture and church tradition, Lent is a sacred opportunity to cultivate a renewed vision of Christ’s love, a greater awareness of our need for Him, and a more faithful witness of Him in our world. 

When we embrace Lent as a time of intentional spiritual rhythms – both personally and in community – we open ourselves to God’s transformative work, shaping us more fully into His likeness. 

Why Observe Lent? 

The spiritual practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are not just for Lent but are foundational to a life of faith. However, in this season, we emphasize them in a way that unites us with Christians across generations and around the world, with the goal of cultivating them not just for seasonal observance but lifelong formation in the way of Jesus. 

  • Prayer – Drawing near to God in personal and communal worship, confession, and intercession.

  • Fasting – Surrendering comforts to make space for deeper dependence on God.

  • Almsgiving – Practicing generosity by caring for those in need with Christlike love.

May this season of Lent lead us into a deeper love for Jesus, a clearer vision of His kingdom, and a life that reflects His grace to the world.

Read further below to find out how you can join the community and experience the richness of the season!

Lent at The City
2025

Prayer

Time with God is critical for creating opportunities for reflection and prayer. In solitude and quiet, you can attend to God’s voice, examine areas of disordered desires, confess and repent from sins, and so grow in intimacy with the Father. We invite you to personal and communal rhythms of prayer in these ways:

(1) Set time apart in your week to pray and reflect along weekly themes and prayer points that follow our Lenten sermon series: The Seven “I Am”s of Jesus. Click here for the prayer points!

(2) Join our Thursday Seek First Prayer gatherings where we will pray into these themes corporately. Find out more here.

Fasting

Biblical fasting is a willing abstinence from food (sometimes even water) for a period of time for a spiritual purpose. Regular fasting should be part of a normal Christian lifestyle, as a practice that breaks the power of disordered desires and strengthens our Godward affections.

We desire to steward all that God stirred in our community over the weeks of our Vision Series by keeping ourselves in a posture of spiritual hunger and seeking. This Lent 2025, we call our community to:

(1) A communal fast from 7:00am to 7:00pm on Friday each week of Lent leading to Easter. Find our more about how to go about fasting here.

(2) Embark on a 4-week exploration and deepening of the practice of fasting through The Fasting Practice Course by Practicing The Way on your own or in your LifeGroup during this season of Lent.

Almsgiving

Giving is a powerful practice in this season. While we seek God and draw close to Him, He invites us to focus less on ourselves, confront our selfish ways, give to those in need, and live simply and justly. Our prayer is that God would further guide us as a community in calling through being united in mission. We call all to participate in these opportunities of mission:

(1) Love Our City Initiative:
12 April, 10am 12pm
CareElderly@Circuit Road
Sign up here!

(2) Giving:
Explore giving.sg for more serving and giving opportunities!

Lent is the season in which we ought to be surprised by joy. Our self-sacrifices serve no purpose unless, by laying aside this or that desire, we are able to focus on our heart’s deepest longing: unity with Christ. In Him – in His suffering and death, His resurrection and triumph, we find our truest joy.

— Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter

Recommended Resources

The City Resources:

Books & Devotionals:

Books related to the seven “I Am”s of Jesus: 

Resources on Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving:

Apps & Bible Plans:

  • Lectio365 

  • Dwell Bible app 

  • Read Scripture 

  • YouVersion Lent Reading Plans 

Family-friendly reads: 

  • The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross - Carl Laferton
    A gospel-centered storybook that takes you on a journey from the Garden of Eden to God’s perfect new creation to understand why Jesus' death and resurrection are good news for us. Suitable for children ages 3 to 6. 

  • The Friend Who Forgives Family Bible Devotional - Dan DeWitt
    Easy-to-read devotions which point children to Jesus, the friend who will forgive them again and again and again. Sessions can be done in under ten minutes, each with a Bible study, reflection questions and prayer prompts. There are optional extras designed to engage older children, plus bonus puzzles and coloring activities for younger children. Suitable for children from age 5 and up.
    Related free downloads here 

  • The Wonder of Easter - Ed Drew
    A devotional that allows both adults and children to walk through Luke’s gospel and the Old Testament to discover why the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is the most amazing story ever told. Five devotions for each week, that takes about 10 minutes, with differentiated questions for 3-4s, 5-7s, 7-12s, teens and adults. Sample here. 

  • Easter Love Letters from God - Glenys Nellist
    An interactive, scripture-based book for kids to experience the events of Holy Week leading up to Easter. Suitable for ages 4 to 8. 


Lent immerses us in Jesus’ life, increases our appreciation for Jesus’ work on the cross, which brings about a powerful longing and joyful gratitude for the resurrection, the joy of Easter!