A time of repentance, reflection and renewal has been practiced by Christians as a 40-day season (excluding Sundays) from the fourth century to the present day. Lent had its roots in baptismal preparation, fasting before celebration of Easter, and renewed baptismal commitment for those who had fallen away from the faith. 

This booklet offers short, to-the-point devotions that do not take much time so that you may find joy in the simple Lenten discipline of daily devotions.

This Lenten daily devotional is based upon the daily lectionary provided in the NALC Devoted To Prayer daily prayer and reading guide, which is also an adapted version of the daily lectionary in the Lutheran Book of Worship, Year II. The daily lectionary appoints three lessons for each day, although, for the purposes of this booklet, one reading has been chosen as the basis for each day’s reflection. The executive staff of the NALC have prepared devotions for each day from the Ash Wednesday to the Resurrection of Our Lord. As the NALC continues its implementation phase of 2020 Vision: Today, Tomorrow & Forever and congregations are preparing to participate beginning in this year’s Easter season, we are using Lent as a way to pray for many of our initiatives across the NALC, and you will see some of those throughout the devotional, as well — particularly regarding the North American Lutheran Seminary and our mission efforts.

Read this week’s devotions: