Lent: A Journey to Habits, Holiness, and the Holy Spirit

This year, we’re inviting our whole church to journey together during Lent—a season of preparing our hearts for Easter through prayer, fasting, and seeking God more deeply. We’ve made it simple but meaningful for you to participate: Weekly Monday prayer calls, special Ash Wednesday and Good Friday prayer calls, a 40-day devotional, and a gratitude challenge. Join us as we draw closer to God together this season!

Lent: A Journey to Habits, Holiness, and the Holy Spirit

Lent is more than a season—it’s a journey. For 40 days, we set aside intentional time to refocus our hearts, deepen our faith, and make room for God’s transforming work in our lives. At Local Vineyard Church, we see this as an opportunity to grow in three key areas: Spiritual Habits, Pursuing Holiness, and Being Directed by the Holy Spirit.

Through daily devotionals, fasting and community practices, we invite you to walk this journey with us. Whether you are new to experiencing the practice of  Lent or seeking a fresh experience, our hope is that these 40 days will develop a  deeper intimacy with Jesus and greater alignment with His way of life.

At Local Vineyard, our mission is simple: helping everyday people learn how to become Jesus followers. This Lent, we believe by cultivating habits of prayer, pursuing holiness in our daily lives, and listening to the Holy Spirit, we will not only grow individually but also strengthen our community as we follow Jesus together.

Let’s take this journey with expectancy, trusting that God will shape us, challenge us, and draw us closer to Him.

With Love,

Jacob 

Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

How to participate in Lent

Weekly Monday Prayer Call

📅 LVC Lent Morning Prayer – 6:00-6:15 AM
🔗 Join the Call
Join us on Google Meet on Monday mornings at 6:00am for a 15 min prayer call. We will kick off Lent on Ash Wednesday (March 5) with a prayer call and conclude on Good Friday (April 18). 

Prayer Call Schedule
- March 5th - Ash Wednesday
- March 10th
- March 17th
- March 24th
- March 31st
- April 7th
- April 14th
- April 18th - Good Friday

Daily Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer (S.O.A.Ps) (Monday - Friday)

Click below for a list of the  S.O.A.Ps 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14RVUZrJygNd--QZV_vo5eCGBEcK8hY8W5XseClZBpyo/edit?usp=sharing

Fasting Invitations 

Below are examples of Fasting Invitations to try during the season of Lent:

The Fasting Invitations 

Invitation #1

• Fast 5 days a week 
• Monday - Friday from Wakeup to Sundown (5pm) 
• Coffee, tea and water only during the day

Invitation #2

• Fast twice a week
• You pick the days 
• Recommended Days -  Wednesday & Fridays - Wake Up to Sundown (5pm) 
• Coffee, tea and water only during the day

Invitation #3

• Fast once a week
• You pick the day
• Recommended Day - Wednesday & Fridays - Wake Up to Sundown (5pm) 
• Coffee, tea and water only during the day

Invitation #4

• Partial Fast
• This fast is for one meal a day each day of the week or you could choose to do this once or twice a week
• Pick a certain time to fast (breakfast, lunch, or dinner)

Soul Fast

• Choose a vice or daily distraction  to abstain from during the week 
• Example: Coffee, alcohol, social media, cable news, sex (if the spouse agrees mutually) etc…
• You can do this for the entire 40 days or choose different things to abstain from during the fast 

Lent Fasting and Abstinence Across Church Traditions

Lent has been observed in different ways throughout church history, and for many traditions—especially within Catholicism and some Protestant denominations—fasting and abstaining from meat are key practices.

In Catholic tradition, fasting during Lent often includes abstaining from meat on Fridays (and sometimes other designated days) as a form of sacrifice and spiritual discipline. This practice is meant to help believers focus on prayer, repentance, and their relationship with God. Many Orthodox and other liturgical traditions have even stricter fasting guidelines.

While fasting from meat isn’t a requirement in our tradition, fasting itself is an important spiritual habit that has biblical roots. Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days, and the early church often used fasting as a way to draw closer to God. So, as we engage in Lent at Local Vineyard Church, I encourage you to consider how fasting—whether from food, social media, or other distractions—can help you focus on the presence of God and grow in holiness.