Now I have the lectionary readings for the week of February 8, 2026. For Monday’s chapel, I need the Old Testament reading: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12).

Here is the Monday chapel devotion:

Opening Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for this new week. Help us listen to Your Word and love the people You put in our lives. Amen.

Scripture: Isaiah 58:6-9

The LORD says: “This is the kind of worship I want: Set free those who are treated unfairly. Share your food with hungry people. Give clothes to those who have none. Welcome the homeless into your house. When you do these things, your light will shine like the morning sun. When you call out to Me, I will answer. I will say, ‘Here I am.’”

What This Means

Have you ever pretended to be nice when you really weren’t? Maybe you said sorry but didn’t mean it. Or maybe you shared your toy but then grabbed it right back.

A long, long time ago, God’s people had this same problem—but with their prayers. They would go to the temple and pray with their heads bowed down. They would skip meals to show God how serious they were. They looked very holy on the outside.

But there was a problem. After they finished praying, they would go home and be mean to their workers. They would ignore poor people. They would fight with their neighbors. They thought God would be impressed with their fancy prayers, but God wasn’t fooled.

So God sent a messenger to tell them the truth: “I don’t want your pretend worship. I want real love. Feed the hungry. Help people who are treated unfairly. Share what you have.”

And here’s the amazing promise: when we love others—really love them—God says our light shines like the sun coming up in the morning. And when we call out to God, He answers, “Here I am!”

God doesn’t want us to just look good. He wants us to be good—to actually help real people with real problems. That’s what love looks like when it’s not pretending.

Let’s Talk About It

Eberley: Why do you think God cares more about how we treat others than how we look when we pray? What’s the difference between “pretend worship” and real worship?

Sonja: What were the people doing wrong in this story? What did God want them to do instead?

Dahlia & Freddy: Who does God want us to share with? Can you think of someone who might need help?

Remember This

God wants us to really love people, not just pretend to be holy.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive us when we pretend to be good but aren’t kind to others. Help us share what we have, help people who are hurt, and love our neighbors for real. Thank You for always answering when we call. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Try This

Today, find one way to help someone in your family without being asked—set the table, pick up a toy, or share something you didn’t want to share. That’s the kind of worship God loves!