Introducing Presbyterian Outlook's 2026 Lenten devotional

Dear friends, As we prepare to enter Lent, many of us are carrying uncertainty, exhaustion, or concern for a world that feels increasingly fractured. This year, the Presbyterian Outlook is offering a new Lenten devotional — Discipleship in a Divided Age.  Written by Outlook Publisher/Editor Teri McDowell Ott, this daily devotional helps to anchor us in Scripture and guide our spiritual practices during this sacred season. Discipleship in a Divided Age follows the Gospel of Matthew and speaks directly into our moment. Through daily reflections, thoughtful questions and weekly visio divina practices, this resource invites us to live faithfully amid division and uncertainty. Whether you read it on your own, bring it to your session or small group, or share it with your entire congregation, this devotional offers: Six daily readings each week grounded in Scripture Reflection questions to help integrate faith into everyday life Closing prayers shaped for personal or communal use Weekly visio divina A pastoral voice that meets readers with honesty, clarity and hope Begin your Lenten journey with us What do you get with your order? A digital, daily devotional that you can insert into your bulletin, email out to your congregation, or read like a book at home while drinking your morning coffee Adaptable files that can be printed on a half page or full page Basic printing instructions All files sent to your inbox on January 8, 2026 Intrigued? View a sample of week one. Pre-order today! Want a different option? Consider Grieving Change and Loss. Created last year and available now, this devotional is undated so you can use it any year. Maundy Thursday liturgy: A Service of communion and reflection by Carol Holbrook Prickett Ash Wednesday Service: A season of unmasking by Anne Apple Presbyterian Outlook Lenten devotions from previous years  Ash Wednesday reflections Lenten hymns Ash Wednesday Service: A call to repentance and renewal by Barbara Chaapel

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

Scripture Readings and Activities During Lent

Weekly Scripture Readings during Lent  Each week during Lent, we will send out an email with Scripture readings and activities. Sign up to receive these during Lent. Simply click on the Scripture reference to read it for that day. Spend this season of Lent making intentional time to reflect on God’s Word. Help keep the habit going by making sure there is a reminder in your inbox each week. Do you know a friend who might like to be part of this? Forward them this email to sign up. Sign up for Weekly Scripture Readings Thank you for your generous support of Special Offerings. If you have any questions, reply to this email or call 800-728-7228, Ext. 5047.

Copyright © 2025 © Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation, All rights reserved.

Earth Care Devotion for Second Sunday in Lent

Second Sunday in Lent February 26, 2024 By Barbara Hassall   Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Over the eons of Mankind’s relationship with our Creator God, covenants have been made to further the bond and expand the prosperity, mercy, grace and joy experienced between the created and the Creator. When God created the world, God placed man and woman as the caretakers and protectors of all of Creation. But God saw that not all was cared for as expected, so another covenant was made with Noah to repopulate the earth after a great flood decimated it. Later, Abraham and Sarah were promised a son, Isaac, that would be the foundation of many nations.  Abraham already had a son by Sarah’s handmaiden. So, God blessed this other son as well. From this lineage and sibling rivalry came the foundations of Islam and Judaism and Christianity. This is a rivalry that continues into today, causing wars, death and devastation to innocent people and the earth itself. Lent is our time to reflect on where we are in our responsibility to protect not only the physical earth, but also all who live on it. We need to see how we got where we are and how we can move back to the expectations of God’s covenant. God has never moved away or broken the covenants; we have. God wants and desires the relationship with Mankind that we damaged by our actions or inactions so long ago. Take the steps to move closer to God by opening your heart to others, forgo profit over care for the world around us, look to the future consequences over current convenience in daily living. Consider the creatures that God created and give them places to live. They are also deserving of your love as one of God’s creation. Prayer: Creator God, who created all things, bless your creations and restore harmony for generations to come in all areas of the world. Help us to understand that those we battle with, those that we look down upon, those that we kill saying that only we have the one right way are all children of the same God, our Creator. Barbara Hassall is a Ruling Elder at The Sanctuary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; the Interim Chair of the Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network, former Presbytery Moderator of Presbytery Tropical Florida and was a commissioner to the 225th General Assembly.   Traducción por:  Rvda. Neddy Astudillo Génesis 17:1-7, 15-16 A lo largo de los eones, de la relación de la Humanidad con nuestro Dios Creador, se han hecho pactos para fomentar el vínculo y ampliar la prosperidad, la misericordia, la gracia y la alegría experimentadas entre lo creado y el Creador. Cuando Dios creó el mundo, puso al hombre y a la mujer como cuidadores y protectores de toda la Creación. Pero Dios vio que no todo era cuidado como se esperaba, así que hizo otro pacto con Noé para repoblar la tierra después de que un gran diluvio la diezmara. Más tarde se prometió a Abraham y Sara un hijo, Isaac, que sería la base de muchas naciones.  Abraham ya tenía un hijo de la sierva de Sara. Así que Dios bendijo también a este otro hijo. De este linaje y de la rivalidad entre hermanos surgieron los fundamentos del islam, el judaísmo y el cristianismo. Es una rivalidad que continúa hasta hoy, causando guerras, muerte y devastación a personas inocentes y a la propia tierra. La Cuaresma es nuestro tiempo para reflexionar sobre dónde estamos en nuestra responsabilidad de proteger no sólo la tierra física, sino también a todos los que viven en ella. Tenemos que ver cómo hemos llegado a donde estamos y cómo podemos volver a las expectativas de la alianza de Dios. Dios nunca se ha alejado ni ha roto los pactos; nosotros sí. Dios quiere y desea la relación con la Humanidad que nosotros dañamos por nuestras acciones o inacciones hace tanto tiempo. Da los pasos necesarios para acercarte a Dios abriendo tu corazón a los demás, renuncia al beneficio en lugar de preocuparte por el mundo que nos rodea, mira las consecuencias futuras en lugar de la comodidad actual en la vida cotidiana.  Considera a las criaturas que Dios ha creado y dales un lugar donde vivir. Ellas también merecen tu amor como parte de la creación de Dios. Barbara Hassall es anciana gobernante en The Sanctuary en Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Presidenta Interina de la Red Presbiteriana de Asistencia en Casos de Desastre de Florida, ex Moderadora del Presbiterio Tropical de Florida y fue comisionada ante la 225ª Asamblea General.   Please consider promoting the PEC devotions in your church and consider using them in sermon preparation and teaching lectionary Bible groups. The Lenten Devotional was made possible by the volunteers contributing their devotions as well as financial donations that covered the cost of recruiting contributors, editing, laying out, web posting and promotion online, by email and social media.  Your donation towards our work is needed and appreciated.  You can give online through our secure website presbyearthcare.org/giving or by mail to PEC Treasurer, P.O. Box 8041, Prairie Village, KS 66208.

Copyright © 2024 Presbyterians for Earth Care, All rights reserved.

Earth Care Devotion for Third Sunday in Lent

March 12, 2023 By Courtney Bowen   John 4:5-42               “Living water” does not describe our water.  Water in many places, thanks to pollution and runoff, cannot support life at all.  It’s the opposite of living water.  It’s deadly water.             Jesus says to the woman of Samaria, “If you knew the gift of God … you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”  Do we know a gift from God when it’s in front of us?  Do we, like the woman, fail to recognize it?             We have not well-tended to the gift from God of water.  But, we are not without hope.  Change is possible.              Initially, the woman is confused and mocks Jesus (“Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob?”).  Yet, the woman is able to move forward, see more clearly, and even asks Jesus for this “living water.” Jesus proceeds to tell her everything she’s ever done.  There’s no mention of sin or judgment of those actions.  There is only the revelation that Jesus knows her entirely.  And in being known by Jesus, the woman begins to understand who he is - the Messiah.  It is in knowing Jesus and being known by Jesus, that the woman experiences the life-giving gift, the living water of Christ. She is changed and rushes to the village to share the good news with others.             How might we be changed by Christ?  In knowing him and being known by him, might we be more cognizant of gifts from God?  Might that knowing, that relationship, change how we live and treat God’s gifts - not turning them deadly, but ensuring that we and others may experience that “spring of water gushing up to eternal life?”   Prayer God of Living Waters, help us to know you, and in that knowing become channels of your gifts to the world. Amen.   Courtney Bowen is Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, TN (a certified Earth Care Congregation of the PCUSA).    Please consider promoting the PEC devotions in your church and consider using them in sermon preparation and teaching lectionary Bible groups. The Lenten Devotional was made possible by the volunteers contributing their devotions as well as financial donations that covered the cost of recruiting contributors, editing, laying out, web posting and promotion online, by email and social media.  Your donation towards our work is needed and appreciated.  You can give online through our secure website presbyearthcare.org/giving or by mail to PEC Treasurer, P.O. Box 8041, Prairie Village, KS 66208.

Copyright © 2023 Presbyterians for Earth Care, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are a member of Presbyterians for Earth Care, or because you opted to join our email list. Our mailing address is: Presbyterians for Earth Care P.O. Box 8041 Prairie Village, KS 66208

Lent Devotional Week Five

"Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe? Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:31-33 LENTEN THOUGHT Through Jesus, we have the ability to access peace no matter what our circumstances are. While there will be suffering in the world, there is already victory. Every one of us has been affected somehow by COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus. Starting with Wuhan, China, from an unknown origin, the speculation and uncertainty has caused people to be scattered and fear has at times taken over any sense of logic. As Christians who are facing this same sense of unknown we have a mandate: BE COURAGEOUS. This is the time to take authority over fear (Luke 10:19) and allow perfect peace to reign. It is an opportunity to show God's love to those who truly are suffering, those who have no relationship with Jesus and have given into fear. We can be a light in the darkest of areas and the darkness has to flee. Fear can not exist where love is. That is power that we have because of Jesus. CHALLENGE Let's reset our hearts and our minds towards victory. Let's allow God to talk to us about any uncertainty that we are feeling and ask him to put our focus on what a good Father He really is. So many people need the message of hope right now. Let's recognize that we are called to this time and place for that very reason. COVID-19 has no bias to race, creed, color, origin or financial status. It affects us globally for a season. Jesus' effect is both now and eternal.   PRAYER Lord God, you are the creator of the universe and yet you know exactly how many hairs there are on each of our heads. You are the author and finisher of our faith and we thank you that we can place whatever fears we have in your hands. Please open our ears to hear the promises that you have spoken over us since the beginning of time. Open our eyes and bring awareness to ways we can see you more in our every day. Help us keep our hearts open as you bring to mind those who desperately need protection and care. Help us keep our hands open so that you can use us to share hope and peace as we walk through the days to come in the victory that you have established for us.   *This week's devotional was contributed by Dori Donnell, MBF Marketing Manager. Thanks for reading.

Copyright © 2020 Medical Benevolence Foundation, All rights reserved. We send special reports to all partners who have chosen to walk alongside us in medical missions. Our mailing address is: Medical Benevolence Foundation 9555 W. Sam Houston Parkway South Suite 170 Houston, TX 77099

Medical Benevolence Foundation - Lent Devotional Week Three

And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” Luke 18:29-30   LENTEN THOUGHT The blessings that come through sacrifice are found after the sacrifice is made. The joys we experience are multiplied in this life and in the life to come. We live in a time where our access to information has grown exponentially. I can find virtually any answer to a question or concern I might have. I can determine the weather forecast of the place I’m traveling to next week. While traveling, I am able to check my bank balances, communicate with colleagues, find out where my children are via location services, order something to be delivered to my home when I arrive and even start my car so it is warm when I pick it up from offsite parking. In all this I can begin to believe I am in charge, in control, the one who determines my experience. Sacrificial living, serving and giving work together in sanctifying my tendency to be the ruler of my own world. CHALLENGE Are you the “ruler” of your own world? Do you get frustrated when you have little to no control over the course of daily events in your life? The sacrifice Christ made by lowering himself, in coming to earth, by taking on the form of a servant and dying for our sins reminds us that we follow a loving, sacrificial and serving Savior. As we follow him, sacrificing temporal possessions and our illusions of control, we will experience more than we can imagine in this life and in the one to come. What is God calling you to leave behind in order to follow him?  Weigh the burden of control over the blessings of sacrifice and lay down whatever He reveals. PRAYER Father point out in each one of us our tendency to put our trust and faith and hope in what we have, what we believe we control, what we value. Spirit guide us to set aside everything that holds our hearts more firmly than you. Jesus remind us that by losing our life we truly find it, in this present moment and in eternity to follow. Amen.   *This week's devotional was contributed by Bob Bickford, Associate Director of Replant with the North American Board, Replant Pastor of the Groves Church in St. Louis MO, author of the Associational Replanting Guide, Am I a Replanter?, Pathways to Partnership and founder of churchreplanters.com

Copyright © 2020 Medical Benevolence Foundation, All rights reserved. We send special reports to all partners who have chosen to walk alongside us in medical missions. Our mailing address is: Medical Benevolence Foundation 9555 W. Sam Houston Parkway South Suite 170 Houston, TX 77099