Lent Devotional 2025

Each year Pittsburgh Theological Seminary offers our free Advent and Lent devotionals and resource kits as our gift to you!

Daily Devotional

With thanks to Anthony Tuell for reading this year's devotionals.

Download the print version of the complete 2025 Lent Devotional.

Resource Kit

What Do We Do for Lent? A Lenten Guide

The Rev. Dr. Graham Standish '88 encourages believers to use Lent as a season of spiritual growth rather than mere obligation. He offers practical ways to deepen faith, including fasting, disciplined prayer, and reflective Bible reading, emphasizing that Lent should be a transformative period of drawing closer to God through intentional spiritual practices.

Read this Lenten guide.

Good Friday Reflection

In her Good Friday reflection, the Rev. Carolyn Cranston ’99 connects the immense suffering witnessed in recent years—from the COVID-19 pandemic to natural disasters—with the suffering of Christ on the cross. She reminds readers that Jesus, though innocent, endured pain and humiliation for the salvation of humanity, and she invites them to pause at the foot of the cross, lay down their burdens, and reflect on Christ’s sacrifice before rushing to Easter’s joy.

Read this Good Friday reflection.

Good Friday Devotional Reflection

The Rev. Erin Morey ’22 reflects on the vulnerability of Christ in death and the profound love found in caring for others in their final moments, encouraging readers to face suffering with presence and compassion rather than avoidance.

Read this Good Friday devotional reflection.

Holy Saturday Devotional Reflection

In her Holy Saturday reflection, the Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell ’11 explores the sacred pause of this day, reminding us that true rest is an act of faith made possible by grace. Drawing from Hebrews 4, she encourages us to cease striving, trust in Christ’s completed work, and embrace the stillness as we await the resurrection.

Read this Holy Saturday Devotional Reflection.

Resurrection Day Reflection

Chaplain (Major) Steven W. Satterfield ’96 highlights Old Testament prophecies that foretold Christ’s betrayal, suffering, and crucifixion, affirming their fulfillment in Jesus’ death and resurrection. He then traces the Gospel accounts of the resurrection, emphasizing Christ’s victory, the Great Commission, and the disciples’ encounters with the risen Lord.

Read this Resurrection Day Reflection.

Big Book of Lent - Year 2

The Seminary's 2025 “Big Book of Lenten Devotionals” gives you a valuable resource for personal and corporate spiritual formation during the Lenten season. From Day 1 through Easter, each section includes multiple biblical passages from the daily lectionary, reflections based on those passages, and accompanying prayers based on each reflection. Seminary alumnae/i, faculty, staff, Board members, and students have contributed to this resource to help enrich your Lenten worship for many years to come.

Download the Big Book of Lenten Devotionals (WORD)

Download the Big Book of Lenten Devotionals (PDF)

Selected previously released Lenten resources include:

Preaching from the Lectionary Video Series

Are you a Lectionary preacher? For many years, PTS created weekly commentary on Lectionary Scriptures for Lent, called "Coffee with the Dean." Many of these are now archived on the PTS YouTube page.

Palm Sunday Poem: “What Kind of King Are You?”

Use this poem, written and first published in 2023 by the Rev. Michael Gehrling ’08, to enhance your Palm Sunday worship.

Download "What Kind of King Are You?"

Ash Wednesday Hymn: “Ashes Alive”

Sung to the tune of “Morning Has Broken,” the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Sterling ’98/’08 has penned a beautiful hymn for use on Ash Wednesday.

Download "Ashes Alive"

Ash Wednesday Prayer Stations

Guide your congregation through six prayer stations on Ash Wednesday, as developed by Pastor Karen Slusser ’21 for use with her congregation.

Download Ash Wednesday Prayer Stations

Don’t Be a Hero! And Other Guidelines for Choosing a Lenten Discipline

These insights by Christian spirituality and ministry professor the Rev. Dr. Roger Owens can aid you in forming Lenten disciplines that are helpful, realistic, and focused on honoring God, not yourself.

Read Blog

Common Questions Kids Ask about Lent, Holy Week, and Easter—And How to Answer Them!

When kids ask questions about Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, you might find that you don’t really know how to answer them! Here you’ll find suggestions for what to say in response to some of those questions. You might even use them as the basis for a children’s sermon or Sunday school lesson, or for conversation at home around the dinner table.

Download PDF

ADDITIONAL LENTEN RESOURCES

For additional Lenten resources, visit the Seasonal Resources - Lent page of our website.

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