Lent 2026:
Enduring Faith
Introduction
The book of James gives us no escape routes. Faith that doesn't show up in our lives isn't faith at all. Love that doesn't get specific isn't love. Wisdom that doesn't reshape how we treat the vulnerable isn't wisdom.
This Lent, we're walking through James together — a letter written to early Christians scattered by persecution, trying to figure out what it meant to follow Jesus when everything was falling apart. James writes to people under pressure, people living under empire, people tempted to survive by compromise. His answer is clear: enduring faith. A resilient faith that trusts God enough to actually live differently, even in the face of trials and suffering.
Over these forty-some days, we'll cycle through James's themes multiple times, letting his words reshape us: trials that grow us, faith that acts, tongues that bless, wisdom from above, humility before God, patience in suffering, prayer that heals. Ours is a faith that has to be lived.
How to use this devotional:
Each day includes Scripture from James, a brief reflection, one concrete practice, and a closing prayer.
The practices are meant to be doable in your actual life—not an ideal one.
Let James’s directness unsettle you. That discomfort is part of the work.
May these forty days shape us into people whose faith shows up.
Day 21: Friday 3/13
“You also must wait patiently, strengthening your resolve, because the coming of the Lord is near.” - James 5:8
Day 20: Thursday 3/12
“Listen! Hear the cries of the wages of your field hands. These are the wages you stole from those who harvested your fields. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of heavenly forces.” - James 5:4
Day 19: Wednesday 3/11
“You don’t really know about tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for only a short while before it vanishes.” - James 4:14
Day 18: Tuesday 3/10
“But you who judge your neighbor, who are you?” - James 4:12
Day 17: Monday 3/9
“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you.” - James 4:7
Third Sunday in Lent (3/8)
“This is why it says, God stands against the proud, but favors the humble.” - James 4:6
Day 16: Saturday 3/7
“You ask and don’t have because you ask with evil intentions, to waste it on your own cravings.” - James 4:3
Day 15: Friday 3/6
“What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine.” - James 3:17
Day 14: Thursday 3/5
“Blessing and cursing come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, it just shouldn’t be this way!” - James 3:10
Day 13: Wednesday 3/4
“… even though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts wildly.” - James 3:5
Day 12: Tuesday 3/3
“We all make mistakes often, but those who don’t make mistakes with their words have reached full maturity.” - James 3:2
Day 11: Monday 3/2
“So you see that a person is shown to be righteous through faithful actions and not through faith alone.” - James 2:24
Second Sunday in Lent (3/1)
“Someone might claim, “You have faith and I have action.” But how can I see your faith apart from your actions? Instead, I’ll show you my faith by putting it into practice in faithful action.” - James 2:18
Day 10: Saturday 2/28
“… faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.” - James 2:17
Day 9: Friday 2/27
“You do well when you really fulfill the royal law found in scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself.” - James 2:8
Day 8: Thursday 2/26
“My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him?” - James 2:5
Day 7: Wednesday 2/25
“My brothers and sisters, when you show favoritism you deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ …” - James 2:1
Day 6: Tuesday 2/24
“You must be doers of the word and not only hearers who mislead themselves.” - James 1:22
Day 5: Monday 2/23
“Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry.” - James 1:19
First Sunday in Lent (2/22)
“Don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.” - James 1:16