Changed My Life: First Sunday of Lent Sparks Prayerful Preparation for Easter

The season of Lent has officially kicked off, marking a time of reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal for Christians worldwide. Pastor Jesse Bradley of Grace Community Church in Auburn, Washington, explained that Lent is a time to make conscious adjustments for spiritual growth during the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"It’s an intentional time to make wise shifts, seek God, and walk closely with Jesus," Bradley shared. For many believers, Lent offers a chance to draw near to Jesus with humility and gratitude, acknowledging that, as Bradley emphasizes, "Jesus died for our sins and rose from the grave."

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent continues for 40 days, excluding Sundays, leading up to the Sacred Paschal Triduum on Holy Thursday. For those observing, it’s a season of repentance and receiving grace, as Bradley reminded, "We have peace with God through the sacrifice of the Messiah. Because Jesus overcame the grave, we are set free from shame and despair." He calls this period a profound opportunity to deepen one’s relationship with God, which he describes as "both personal and eternal."

Technology is playing an increasingly significant role in modern spirituality. The Hallow prayer app, based in Chicago and launched in 2018, is one tool helping Christians engage with faith in a contemporary way. Alex Jones, the CEO of Hallow, described Lent as a pivotal time for their community. "Our prayer challenge for Lent this year is shaping up to be the biggest one of all time," he said, highlighting how the app connects individuals to personalized prayer and meditation experiences.

This year, actor Chris Pratt joined Hallow’s efforts, sharing his own faith journey. The theme for this year’s Pray40 challenge, "The Way," focuses on John 14:6 and draws inspiration from St. Josemaría Escrívá’s book, which Jones credits with profoundly impacting his own life. "St. Josemaría teaches us to love the world deeply through prayer, serving others, and making sacrifices," Jones explained, adding that these practices can be seamlessly woven into ordinary, daily life.

Jones also reflected on a broader "revival of faith" he perceives happening across the U.S. He noted that Bible sales have been booming, and recent Pew Research Center data showed an increase in Americans identifying as Christian in 2024 compared to the previous year. "It’s the blessing of a lifetime to help folks pray every day at Hallow and see this revival firsthand," said Jones, expressing hope for those rediscovering or discovering faith for the first time.

As Lent begins, believers are encouraged to focus on Christ as "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" while embracing prayer and spiritual growth during this sacred season. Whatever tools or traditions they use, the goal remains the same: to draw closer to God and prepare their hearts for Easter.