The Catholic app Hallow is launching a 40-day Lenten challenge focused on prayer and spiritual reflection, beginning with Ash Wednesday, February 18th, 2026. The initiative, dubbed “Pray40,” encourages daily prayer leading up to Easter.
Hallow, identified as the number one Catholic prayer app, is promoting the challenge as a means of deepening faith and preparing for the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. The company’s promotional materials emphasize the significance of Lent as a period dedicated to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, traditions observed by many Christians, including Protestants and Orthodox believers, in addition to Catholics.
This year’s challenge builds on previous Lenten campaigns. In 2025, Hallow centered its program around “The Way,” a function by Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, and featured participation from a range of public figures. A recent Instagram post from March 3, 2025, indicated a collaboration with Emmanuel, inviting users to join the challenge through the app.
Hallow’s 2026 campaign specifically highlights resources for observing Ash Wednesday, including information on accessing ashes for those unable to attend services. The app provides guidance on fasting rules during Lent, adhering to Catholic traditions.
The Lenten season, which precedes Easter, is a significant time in the Catholic liturgical calendar, alongside Advent, Christmas, and Ordinary Time. Hallow’s initiative aims to provide a structured path for individuals seeking to reconnect with or strengthen their faith during this period.
On Facebook, Hallow described the 2026 challenge as “a 40-day challenge to return to God through prayer and silence.”
