The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (2024)

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (1)

Springtime brings the festive celebration that is Easter, but before it in the Christian calendar comes the season of Lent, marking the 40 days (excluding Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Lent's dates might change from year to year, but its purpose remains the same as a time of repentance and fasting. To help you meditate on this time and the meaning behind it, we have rounded up 40 quotes from Catholic popes and writers and other Christian thought leaders as well as some Bible verses below.

You've likely heard of fasting from sweets, alcohol, soda, social media, or the like for the season (options of what to give up for Lent are endless!), but don't confuse these actions with New Year's resolutions. For Christians Lent emphasizes an awareness of sin that separates them from God, and giving up, or taking on, something sacrificial reminds them of their "utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food," as Dallas Willard is quoted saying below. Its 40-day length also echoes the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert as recounted in the New Testament of the Bible. No matter how Christians mark Lent, its heaviness makes the celebration of Jesus's resurrection on Easter all the more glorious! But for now, read on for 40 Lent quotes to inspire you this year.

1

Pope Francis

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (2)

"God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy."

2

St. Catherine of Siena

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (3)

"Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.

3

St. Rose of Lima

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (4)

"Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may go to heaven."

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4

Fulton J. Sheen

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (5)

"Unless there is Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday."

5

Catherine Doherty

"Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves... What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment's hesitation."

6

St. Francis de Sales

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (7)

"Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself."

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7

Genesis 2:7

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (8)

"Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."

8

Ezekiel 9:4

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (9)

"...and said to him, 'Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.' "

9

Father Thomas Merton

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (10)

"Ash Wednesday is full of joy... The sources of all sorrow is the illusion that of ourselves we are anything but dust."

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10

Catherine of Genoa

"Lenten fasts make me feel better, stronger, and more active than ever."

11

S.D. Gordon

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (12)

"Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces."

12

Father Thomas Merton

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (13)

"Even the darkest moments of the liturgy are filled with joy, and Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten fast, is a day of happiness, a Christian Feast."

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13

Pope Francis

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (14)

"During Lent, let us find concrete ways to overcome our indifference."

14

Chuck Smith

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (15)

"Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God."

15

Pope Francis

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (16)

"Lent comes providentially to awaken us, to shake us from our lethargy."

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16

Henri Nouwen

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (17)

"O lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen."

17

Father Mike Schmitz

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (18)

"Seek a relationship when you pray, not answers. You won't always find answers, but you will always find Jesus."

18

Father Thomas Merton

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (19)

"The goal of fasting is inner unity. This means hearing, but not with the ear; hearing, but not with the understanding; it is hearing with the spirit, with your whole being."

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19

St. Augustine

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (20)

"Do you wish your prayer to fly toward God? Make for it two wings: fasting and almsgiving."

20

St. Augustine

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (21)

"Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one's flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, kindles the true light of chastity."

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent (2024)

FAQs

The Most Inspirational Quotes for the 40 Days of Lent? ›

"God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy." "Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring. "Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may go to heaven." "Unless there is Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday."

What is the key message of Lent? ›

The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving, simple living, and self-denial.

What is the message of Lent 2024? ›

Pope Francis' Message for Lent 2024 has the theme, "Through the desert God leads us to freedom." Lent 2024 begins on February 14, Ash Wednesday, and ends on March 28, Maundy Thursday.

What is the number one thing given up for Lent? ›

Sweet Treats. One of the most common things to give up for Lent is sugar! Not only will removing sweet treats from your diet help your health, but the sugar withdrawal will also be a good reminder that only God truly sustains us.

What is the daily message for Lent? ›

“God, may my sacrifice of today of (state your Lenten sacrifice) remind me of my dependence on You for all the blessings I enjoy. Amen.” ”May I stand in solidarity today with all my brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering.

What are the three words for Lent? ›

Through the three pillars of Lent – fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, we endeavor to develop a closer relationship to God.

What are the 3 main points of Lent? ›

The three traditional pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through the three pillars of Lent we journey to develop a closer relationship to God. The 40 days of Lent should be filled with reflection, service and prayer.

What is the significance of 40 days of Lent? ›

Forty is typically indicative of a time of testing, trial, penance, purification, and renewal. In the New Testament, forty days is the length of Jesus' time of trial in the desert in preparation for his public ministry, proclaiming the Gospel.

What is the true essence of Lent? ›

It's a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting.

What is the prayer for the 40 days of Lent? ›

Most Loving God, Thank you that you remain constant with us through all the changing scenes of life. Help us to trust you in times of joy and in sorrow. Be our shepherd in the darkness and in the light, so that we might be living beacons of hope for others.

What is the deepest meaning of Lenten season? ›

Lent is a time of repentance. It is a time for us to be reminded that sin separates us from God. The season of Lent is a time for you and I to reflect on Christ's sacrifice on the cross. To think about the true meaning of that sacrifice. What it means to us in the here and now, as well as, in our eternity.

What are Lent promises? ›

For Catholics, they commit to fasting as well as giving up something in order to replicate the same type of sacrifice Jesus committed in the desert. Some of the well-known things that people give up during this time include sweets, social media, chips, swearing, alcohol, coffee, etc.

What are the 3 main sacrifices during Lent? ›

Lent's three pillars are prayer, fasting and almsgiving–meaning that we're called to do more than just abstain from a particular food or activity.

What is the most important part of Lent? ›

The three main things people focus on during Lent are prayer, fasting (abstaining from something to reduce distractions and focus more on God) and giving, or charity. Prayer during Lent focuses on our need for God's forgiveness. It's also about repenting (turning away from our sins) and receiving God's mercy and love.

What did Jesus give up for Lent? ›

All three accounts say that Jesus went without food for the 40 days. Christians, like adherents to many other religions, have long fasted. But it was only after Christians began to fast specifically prior to Easter, about 300 years after Jesus's death, that anyone looked to the Bible to find a source for the practice.

What is the quote from the Bible for Lent? ›

Top 10 Lent Bible Verses

Matthew 6:16-18 - “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

What to say to someone during Lent? ›

A plain and simple message of good luck and support will mean the world to them. “Good luck on your spiritual journey this spring. May God give you strength and help you succeed.” “You have my friendship and support at this time of Lent – don't hesitate to give me a call if you need a helping hand.”

What is the powerful Lent prayer? ›

Lent Prayer for Strength

Keep us both outwardly and inwardly. Defend us from all adversities which hurt the body, and cleanse us from all evil thoughts which afflict the mind; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

What is the message of the great Lent? ›

"Let us fast an acceptable and very pleasing fast to the Lord. True fast is the estrangement from evil, temperance of tongue, abstinence from anger, separation from desires, slander, falsehood, and perjury. Privation of these is true fasting."

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