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Friend of Sinners: Lent Devotions on Following the Crucified King
Prepare your heart for Easter by making the most of Lent as you dwell daily on Jesus, the Friend of Sinners.
This reflective journey through Lent is full of...
honest, conversational anecdotes about our need for graceconvicting insights into what it looks like to follow Christmarvelous truth about the love of Christhope for the glory of eternal lifethoughtful reflection questions“Remember who you are; remember who he is.”
In this short phrase, Elyse Fitzpatrick summarizes the heart of each devotion in Friend of Sinners. Beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending with the empty tomb, you’ll remember daily the love of Jesus, who died so you could have eternal life.
This reflective journey through Lent is full of...
honest, conversational anecdotes about our need for graceconvicting insights into what it looks like to follow Christmarvelous truth about the love of Christhope for the glory of eternal lifethoughtful reflection questions“Remember who you are; remember who he is.”
In this short phrase, Elyse Fitzpatrick summarizes the heart of each devotion in Friend of Sinners. Beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending with the empty tomb, you’ll remember daily the love of Jesus, who died so you could have eternal life.
160 pages
Published January 1, 2026
55 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Elyse Fitzpatrick
10 books3 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 1, 2026
I have to start by saying… I don’t personally observe Lent, and this book begins with a strong focus on that practice. I wasn’t as drawn to that aspect. However, even though I don’t participate in Lent, I do believe it is a wonderful thing to intentionally prepare our hearts for Easter. And truly, we need to be reminded of the gospel not just at Easter, but in every season.
This devotional is beautifully written and walks you through the gospel story with meaningful application. It is full of heart and even brought me to tears at times. Fitzpatrick does a seamless job of weaving application throughout in a way that feels both relatable and emotionally engaging.
One of my favorite quotes:
“Jesus’ words to Jairus are his words to us today: ‘Don’t be afraid. Only believe.’ Does that mean that all the sadnesses will now be wonderful? Will we all live happily ever after? No. It means that he sees, and he knows, and he holds it all in his hands. You are not alone. He will not forget your needs. He will not fail to act. Just believe.”
So whether you observe Lent or not, this is a wonderful devotional to help prepare your heart for Easter!
* I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
This devotional is beautifully written and walks you through the gospel story with meaningful application. It is full of heart and even brought me to tears at times. Fitzpatrick does a seamless job of weaving application throughout in a way that feels both relatable and emotionally engaging.
One of my favorite quotes:
“Jesus’ words to Jairus are his words to us today: ‘Don’t be afraid. Only believe.’ Does that mean that all the sadnesses will now be wonderful? Will we all live happily ever after? No. It means that he sees, and he knows, and he holds it all in his hands. You are not alone. He will not forget your needs. He will not fail to act. Just believe.”
So whether you observe Lent or not, this is a wonderful devotional to help prepare your heart for Easter!
* I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
February 2, 2026
“Yes, we are broken- but we are also dearly loved. And that, my friends, is our only hope. The one who died, rose, and ascended loves us.”
Fitzpatrick invites you to spend seven weeks discovering what it means to call Jesus our dear friend- “the friend who laid down his life so that you could know you are loved and welcomed.” As you are taken through familiar stories from Jesus’s life, you will look at them afresh and walk away with your soul feeling rejuvenated, and with a deeper love and understanding of our Savior.
Starting on Ash Wednesday and ending two days after Resurrection Sunday you will read a passage from scripture, a brief devotional (about 2 pages), and have a reflection question.
Fitzpatrick writes with such ease and understanding. Each day will make you think and draw you closer to Jesus. She really made me consider suffering, and how “we want to jump ahead. We want to get past the suffering to the party. The Lenten season is a reminder that suffering comes before glory… glory is secure but glory is not yet.” As Christians, we must contemplate the suffering because suffering is necessary.
Not only will you think of suffering, but also memento mori, meaning remember your death. We don’t like to think of death, but Fitzpatrick says we must think of it for it puts your whole life into perspective. “Living with memento mori in mind includes humbly facing the reality of our transient lives. We are dust, and all our posturing and glory-seeking will return to dust. Our lives, all we have, belong to the King, the one who sees and loves us.”
As you prepare for Lenten season, remember that “Mary witnessed the most miraculous of all births and the worst of all deaths… and learned that neither was the end of the story. She learned what it means to follow the Messiah.” And we must do the same. There is joy and despair, but it is not the end of our story. This beautiful and edifying devotional keeps your eyes on what is to come without traipsing over the pain and heartache we will experience now.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
Fitzpatrick invites you to spend seven weeks discovering what it means to call Jesus our dear friend- “the friend who laid down his life so that you could know you are loved and welcomed.” As you are taken through familiar stories from Jesus’s life, you will look at them afresh and walk away with your soul feeling rejuvenated, and with a deeper love and understanding of our Savior.
Starting on Ash Wednesday and ending two days after Resurrection Sunday you will read a passage from scripture, a brief devotional (about 2 pages), and have a reflection question.
Fitzpatrick writes with such ease and understanding. Each day will make you think and draw you closer to Jesus. She really made me consider suffering, and how “we want to jump ahead. We want to get past the suffering to the party. The Lenten season is a reminder that suffering comes before glory… glory is secure but glory is not yet.” As Christians, we must contemplate the suffering because suffering is necessary.
Not only will you think of suffering, but also memento mori, meaning remember your death. We don’t like to think of death, but Fitzpatrick says we must think of it for it puts your whole life into perspective. “Living with memento mori in mind includes humbly facing the reality of our transient lives. We are dust, and all our posturing and glory-seeking will return to dust. Our lives, all we have, belong to the King, the one who sees and loves us.”
As you prepare for Lenten season, remember that “Mary witnessed the most miraculous of all births and the worst of all deaths… and learned that neither was the end of the story. She learned what it means to follow the Messiah.” And we must do the same. There is joy and despair, but it is not the end of our story. This beautiful and edifying devotional keeps your eyes on what is to come without traipsing over the pain and heartache we will experience now.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews