First Sunday in Lent — February 22, 2026
The Spirit doesn’t lead Jesus away from struggle — but into it. Shea Watts reflects on Matthew 4:1–11 and the hope that meets us in the desert.
More Stories from this Author
Order of worship — February 22, 2026
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation.
On Charlie Kirk and the challenge of Christian witness in a violent age
In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death, we face Jesus’ hardest command: love your enemies. What does that look like in a divided nation, asks Shea Watts?
Performance as prophecy and protest
Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime show was a prophetic pronouncement — and an invitation for Christians, writes Shea Watts.
A Great Thanksgiving around the family table
Shea Watts offers a prayer to use at the Thanksgiving table.
Through a glass dimly: Repentance and repair in sacred spaces
Shea Watts shares Covenant Presbyterian Church’s decision to remove stained-glass windows depicting Confederate figures.
Christ’s love in God’s kin-dom (August 4, 2024)
Shea Watts explores the discrepancy between Christianity as an intellectual project and Christianity as a lived reality.
Fearless witness, fiery testimony (June 30, 2024)
Shea Watts writes about ordinary time and Paul's defense in Acts 26.
A call to celebrate the Trans Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday
When we embrace our trans siblings, the mystery of Easter bursts into our lives, writes Shea Watts.
Like the women at the tomb (March 31, 2024)
Shea Watts talks Easter Sunday and the first ending in Mark's Gospel.
Faith-FULL Versus Faith-LESS (March 24, 2024)
Shea Watts explores Stephen's martyrdom and how the church is hedged by faith and fear.
Searching for Epiphany on holy and hellish nights
R. Shea Watts reflects on modern iconographer Kelly Latimore’s “Christ in the Rubble” image. In Epiphany, where do we find God’s revelation in a world full of violence?