“Lord, When Did We See You?”: Sign Up for Daily Lenten Devotions in 2026
Beginning Ash Wednesday 2026, Lutherans across Region 2 — including the Grand Canyon Synod — are invited to receive a short daily devotion by email for each of the 40 days of Lent, plus the 7 days of Holy Week.
The theme, “Lord, When Did We See You?”, is drawn from Matthew 25:37–40 — Jesus’ powerful reminder that when we serve “the least of these,” we serve Christ himself.
These daily reflections will arrive in your inbox each morning, offering Scripture-rooted encouragement, theological depth, and practical invitation. Voices will range from bishops and pastors to lay leaders and “regular folks,” representing diverse contexts and lived experiences across our church. Pastor Nelson Rabell of Santa María Peregrina (Lodi, CA) will serve as editor and curator.
This daily devotion is one of four practices in the 2026 Matthew 25 Lenten Challenge, supporting ELCA World Hunger.
What Is the Lenten Challenge?
Participants are invited to commit to three of four daily practices during Lent:
Daily Devotion – Receive and reflect on the Matthew 25 email devotion each day.
Daily Learning – Engage Scripture and ELCA social teachings using the Matthew 25 Toolkit.
Daily Action – Serve neighbors through acts such as volunteering, visiting, praying, or advocating.
Daily Donation – Give $1 per day (or more) to ELCA World Hunger to address root causes of hunger and poverty.
The 2026 Lenten Challenge has a bold regional goal:
Raise $100,000 across the five Region 2 synods — Sierra Pacific, Southwest California, Pacifica, Grand Canyon, and Rocky Mountain.
There’s also a friendly element: the synod with the most individual participants earns bragging rights — all in good fun.
Why It Matters
Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 are not abstract theology. They are a call to concrete discipleship:
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.”
Lent invites us into repentance, reflection, and renewed clarity about where Christ is present. This year’s devotions center that question daily: Where do we see Christ — in hunger, thirst, loneliness, injustice?
For rostered ministers and lay leaders across Arizona, southern Nevada, St. George, and the Navajo Nation, this daily rhythm can also serve as spiritual grounding amid busy congregational life.
Our Synod Goal
Region 2 hopes for participation by at least one individual from 50 congregations in each synod.
Imagine what it would mean for 50 congregations in the Grand Canyon Synod to begin each Lenten morning rooted in Matthew 25.
Ready to Join?
When you sign up, you commit to practicing three of the four disciplines and using the Matthew 25 Lenten Challenge Toolkit for guidance.
Sign up now to receive daily devotions during Lent 2026.
Invite members of your congregation to participate alongside you.
Consider promoting the devotion series in worship announcements and newsletters.
Lent is coming.
Let’s begin by asking — and living — the question:
“Lord, when did we see you?”
