“By coming near the cross through prayer, we can know and imitate heart of Christ.”

Adult Resources for Lent

Five Christian publishing houses offer their latest resources to help adults on their Lenten journey. Whichever you choose, you can be sure that these books and devotionals will help deepen spirituality throughout the weeks of Lent.

Meeting Jesus on the Margins (Forward Movement)
Where do you meet Jesus? In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus urges us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, and visit the prisoners. And in doing so, we meet Jesus. These daily reflections for Lent provide boots-on-the-ground stories of serving and being served by “the least of these.” The meditations also explore our own hunger, our vulnerabilities, and the times we are imprisoned, either self-imposed or by circumstance. Come and meet Jesus each day this blessed Lenten season. Contributors include Mike Kinman, Becca Stevens, Allison Duvall, Bo Cox, Hugo Olaiz, Lee Anne Reat, and Richelle Thompson.

Under the Fig Tree: Visual Prayers and Poems for Lent (Morehouse, 2015)
This book brings the artwork and poetry of Roger Hutchison into forty-seven devotions on Old and New Testament passages to bring you through the days of Lent. Simple Lenten devotions that will encourage your to go deeper during this holy season, traveling with Jesus as he journeys to the cross and beyond.

Gather, Share, Remember
A Lenten calendar poster featuring the art of Roger Hutchison along with scripture and a phrase to focus your day’s reflection. Sold in packs of 30 posters.

God for Us: Reader’s Edition (Paraclete)
Explore the meaning of Lent, its importance in spiritual formation, its significance in the preparation of Easter, and the holy season of Easter itself. Reflections from leading spiritual writers in North America reveal what one theologian has called the “bright sadness” of Lent — that it is not about becoming lost in feelings of brokenness, but about cleansing the palate so that we can taste life more fully. Lent and Easter reveal the God who is for us in all of life — for our liberation, for our healing, for our wholeness. Lent and Easter remind us that even in death there can be found resurrection.

Bearing Fruit: Devotions for Lent 2016 (Augsburg)
This beautiful, full-color devotional takes you through Lent with daily readings from Colossians. Each reading is accompanied by a photo, quote, reflection, and prayer. Available in pocket-sized, large print, and eBook editions.

Near the Cross: A Lenten Journey of Prayer (Abingdon)
Pray with the mind and heart of Jesus. Prayer nurtures our faith and encourages spiritual growth. This thematic Bible study calls individuals and small groups to a deeper life of prayer during the season of Lent. It guides readers to spiritual transformation and application of Bible study to everyday, practical life experience. By coming near the cross through prayer, we can know and imitate heart of Christ.

 This thematic Bible study is designed to be used by individuals and small groups during the Lent 2016 season. In addition to the main content, each chapter offers questions for reflection and discussion, a brief prayer, and a focus for the week. The focus emerges from the chapter content and encourages readers to engage in a spiritual practice or do something specific that will help them grow in faith. On the whole, this thematic seasonal Bible study series is designed for transformation and application of Bible study to everyday, practical life experience.

The Sanctuary for Lent 2016 (Abingdon)
Devotions for each day of Lent. Prayer is the focus of Sue Mink’s devotions and on people in the Bible who prayed. She especially examines Jesus and his prayers, including the Lord’s Prayer, which is examined phrase by phrase over several days. The Sanctuary for Lent 2016 is a booklet that contains one devotion for each of the forty days in Lent, plus Sundays. Each daily devotion includes a recommended Scripture reading, a Bible verse, an inspiring message, and an uplifting prayer. Designed to fit in a #10 envelope which enables churches to include the booklet in Lenten mailings. A great selection for gifting and evangelism.

Between Midnight and Dawn (Paraclete)
Experience the liturgical seasons of Lent, Holy Week, and Eastertide in the company of poets and novelists from across the centuries. 

This third literary guide compiled by Sarah Arthur completes the church calendar with daily and weekly readings for Lent and Easter from classic and contemporary literature. New voices such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Benjamín Alire Sáenz join well-loved classics by Dostoevsky, Rossetti, and Eliot. Light in the darkness, illuminating the soul. This rich anthology will draw you deeper into God’s presence through the medium of the imagination.

Honoring Our Neighbor’s Faith, Revised Edition (Augsburg)
Hundreds of Christian denominations and dozens of non-Christian traditions have followers in the United States. How do we view this wide variety of beliefs and practices? How does the Lutheran tradition compare with others? Honoring Our Neighbor’s Faith, Revised Edition (2015) brings new light and nuance to these questions, which are as timely and vital as ever. Use this book to explore thirty-two faith traditions, including key teachings, worship patterns and practices, and how each is governed. This revision also includes updated statistics, enhanced tools for group study and discussion, and updated resource and website lists to facilitate further study.