Lent Reflections 2026. Week 1: February 18th – 24th

A general introduction to the season of Lent and to these Reflections.

In most countries, the day before Lent is celebrated as a feast day. In England, the old name of Shrove Tuesday has largely been discarded in favour of "Pancake Day" with people making special trips to the shops to buy the necessary ingredients. A few hundred years ago this would have been unimaginable as the whole point of Shrove Tuesday was to use up foods forbidden during Lent. Supplies were gradually run down as Lent approached until, on Shrove Tuesday, any remaining eggs, milk, butter and animal fats were used up in the pancake feast.

The forty days of Lent are used by the Church to reflect on the time spent by Christ in the wilderness and Christians are encouraged to engage in self-examination and repentance; prayer, fasting and self denial; reading and meditating on God's word. It is my hope and prayer that these reflections - sent out weekly - will help you to observe Lent in this way.

Each week you will receive a set of daily reflections, Bible readings and prayers.

The Bible passages for each day are those suggested in the BRF Lent Book: Giving It Up by Maggi Dawn

For full details please download the attached file