Day 1 of Lent Wednesday Feburary 18th 2026
The Scripture
Joel 2:12 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Self-Reflection
Lent often feels like a “to-do list” of things to give up. We focus on the chocolate, the social media, or the caffeine. But the prophet Joel reminds us that the goal isn’t just self-deprivation; it’s return.
Today, ask yourself: Where have I drifted? If my heart were a compass, which way is it currently pointing? Lent is not a marathon of willpower, but a 40-day walk back to the center. Don’t worry about being “perfect” at Lent; focus on being present.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, As I begin this journey, I thank you that you don’t wait for me to get my life in order before you invite me back. Today, I offer you my distractions and my busyness. Quiet my heart so I can hear your voice in the wilderness. Help me to give up not just things, but the habits that keep me from loving you and others fully. Amen.