40 Simple Lenten Sacrifices That Will Change Your Life

Lent is a season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—a time to draw closer to Christ by making sacrifices that purify our hearts and transform our daily lives. But what if your Lenten sacrifices could go beyond just giving up chocolate? What if it could truly change your life?

Here are 40 simple yet powerful Lenten sacrifices that can help you grow in holiness, deepen your relationship with God, and cultivate virtue—not just for 40 days, but for the long haul.

Fasting: Small Sacrifices That Strengthen the Soul

Fasting isn’t just about food; it’s about making space for God. Try these:

1. No snacks between meals – Offer up the little hunger pangs as a prayer.
2. Drink only water – Water only! A simple but effective mortification.
3. Eat plain food – No condiments, seasonings, or extras.
4. Give up meat entirely – Not just Fridays, but all of Lent.
5. No processed foods – Eat only whole, simple foods.
6. Skip eating out – Save money and offer it as almsgiving.
7. Fast from second helpings – Practice self-discipline and gratitude.
8. Give up added sugar – A real challenge that makes you mindful of what you consume.
9. Sacrifice your favorite meal – Don’t indulge in your go-to comfort food.
10. No eating after 7 PM – Discipline your appetite and surrender the urge to snack.

Prayer: Daily Habits That Will Transform Your Heart

Lent is a time to deepen your prayer life. These Lenten sacrifices will bring you closer to Christ:

1. Wake up 30 minutes earlier for prayer – Start your day with God.
2. Pray the Rosary daily – A powerful way to meditate on Christ’s life.
3. Attend daily Mass – If you can’t go in person, watch online or read the daily readings.
4. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 PM – A beautiful devotion to God’s mercy.
5. No music or podcasts in the car – Use the silence to pray or reflect.
6. Read Scripture for 10 minutes daily – Let God speak to you through His Word.
7. Do a daily examen – Reflect on how you lived for Christ that day.
8. Pray for someone specific each day – Keep a list and intercede for them.
9. Kneel for night prayers – A simple but humbling way to end the day.
10. Fast from unnecessary screen time – Replace it with spiritual reading.
11. Use SEEK Replay instead of Netflix – Watch a talk that deepens your faith instead of your usual entertainment.
12. Listen to the FOCUS Equip Podcast – Replace secular content with something spiritually uplifting.
13. Pray for FOCUS missionaries – Ask God to bless their work on college campuses and beyond.

Almsgiving: Giving of Yourself in a Meaningful Way

Lent calls us to generosity—not just with money, but with time and love.

1. Tithe an extra percentage – Give a little more than usual.
2. Declutter and donate – Give away clothes or items you don’t need.
3. Write a letter to someone you’ve lost touch with – Rebuild relationships.
4. Visit or call a lonely person – Bring joy to someone who needs company.
5. Perform a hidden act of kindness daily – Love in small, unseen ways.
6. Give up complaining – Turn frustration into gratitude.
7. Make a meal for someone in need – A simple but meaningful sacrifice.
8. Give up unnecessary shopping – Buy only essentials and donate the savings.
9. Forgive someone you’ve struggled to forgive – Even if it’s just in your heart.
10. Smile more and be patient with difficult people – A true spiritual exercise.
11. Support a FOCUS missionary – Even a small, one-time donation makes a difference.
12. Invite someone to Bible study – A simple but bold way to evangelize.

Detachment: Letting Go to Make More Room for God

Sacrifice things that distract you from Christ.

1. No social media before noon – Start your day with prayer instead.
2. Fast from unnecessary phone use – Limit time-wasting scrolling.
3. Delete one app that distracts you – Whether it’s social media or a game.
4. No YouTube or Netflix binges – Watch only what truly uplifts you.
5. Spend one hour in Eucharistic Adoration each week – Let Jesus transform you.

Which Sacrifice Will You Choose?

You don’t have to do all 40—just one or two can be life-changing. What will you give up or take on this Lent?

Let this be a season of real transformation—not just in your habits, but in your heart.

Additional Resources

From prayer guides like Litany of Humility: A Prayer for Lent to helpful lists like 20 Unique Things to Give Up for Lent, we’ve got you covered this Lent!

Looking for more ways to engage and deepen your relationship with Christ? Join us in a Lenten Bible study led by Curtis Martin and Dr. Edward Sri. The Crux is a seven-session Bible study that takes you deeper into the heart of the Gospel. Videos are released every Wednesday from March 5 to April 16 at 7 PM ET / 6 PM CT.