The Toolkit

“Lord, When Did We See You?”

A Matthew 25 Lenten Practices Toolkit

Grounded in Matthew 25:37–40, this toolkit expands your existing Lenten framework with simple, embodied actions for children, youth, families, individuals, and congregations. It is designed for intergenerational use, easy weekly planning, and alignment with ELCA worship, formation, and advocacy rhythms.

How to Use This Toolkit

  • Weekly Focus: Each week centers on one Matthew 25 category.

  • Daily Practice: Choose one small action per day.

  • Intergenerational: Activities scale across ages and contexts.

  • Worship-Connected: Practices pair naturally with prayer, preaching, and advocacy.

Then All Through Lent…

  • Subscribe to daily devotions

  • Pray for elected leaders

  • Journal daily and/or post a daily pic during Lent: When and where did you see Jesus?

  • Read and study Matthew 25

  • Post your activities to your personal or congregation’s social media feed using the hashtag #LentenChallenge

  • Donate to ELCA World Hunger using the Appeal Code R2LENT2026 or donate to ELCA World Hunger here.

Daily Question: Where did I see Jesus today?

Closing Prayer: God of mercy, open our eyes to see Christ in our neighbors. Amen.

  • We recognize Christ in those who hunger and respond by sharing food, reducing waste, and working for food justice. Week 1 Toolkit.

  • We see Christ in those without clean water and care for creation by conserving water and protecting life-giving resources. Week 2 Toolkit.

  • We meet Christ in the stranger by practicing welcome, hospitality, and advocacy for migrants and refugees. Week 3 Toolkit.

  • We honor Christ’s dignity by providing clothing, resisting excess, and supporting economic justice. Week 4 Toolkit.

  • We encounter Christ in those who are ill through compassion, presence, prayer, and care for body and mind. Week 5 Toolkit.

  • We remember Christ among the incarcerated by practicing mercy, seeking justice, and supporting restoration and hope. Week 6 Toolkit.