August 5, 2025
James gives us a succinct definition of true religion, of true godliness: “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). James elevates the activity of caring for widows and orphans as the very essence of pure and undefiled religion. …
After my grandfather died, my grandmother moved into our home and lived with us for many years as I was growing up. On several occasions, she would talk to me late at night and weep, telling me of the burden of pain she had in feeling like she had not only lost her husband but that she had also lost her place in the community. Once her husband passed, she suddenly felt excluded from the things she was intimately involved with alongside him while he was alive.
When a person loses her lifelong mate, it’s like losing an integral, intimate part of one’s self because husband and wife, we are told, in the mystery of marriage are one flesh. So, the pain of widowhood brings a unique dimension of loneliness. It’s jarring to suddenly be alone when one has been accustomed to the constant companionship with one’s spouse over a long period of time. Since God is the great Comforter of His people, it makes sense that He would have such concern for widows given the pain they experience. …
Jesus frequently pays attention to widows in His teaching. … One of the most tender moments recorded in the New Testament is found in John 19:25–27. While Christ was on the cross, He looked in the direction of His mother, who was an eyewitness to His passion, and He said to her, “Woman, behold your son!” He was not asking His mother to look at Him. Obviously, she already was looking at Him. Then, Jesus said to John, “Behold your mother!” In His dying moments, Jesus was commending the care of His widowed mother to His beloved disciple, John. On the cross, Jesus said to John, “John, you take care of My mother. She’s a widow, so let her be to you as your own mother.” To Mary, He said, “Mother, let John be to you as your own son.” …
James, the brother of Jesus, sees this mandate to care for widows as so important that he uses it to describe the crystallized essence of true religion.—R. C. Sproul1
When I started cleaning houses a couple of years ago, I little thought it would provide far more than a means to make ends meet. My kids, currently far from blood relatives, have gained several grandmas. I have wise and encouraging mothers, with whom I can share my own struggles and fears. In turn, these women, whose days are spent often alone, with their own thoughts and pains, get to see and talk to people. They are reinvigorated by the joy of young children. They are less burdened by sharing their pain with a listening ear. They have people on whom to lavish love and attention. Though I wasn’t looking for it, God gave me the opportunity to minister to widows. And they, in turn, have ministered to me. They have given me encouragement and perspective. They have demonstrated Christ’s love in tangible and meaningful ways. …
The Bible is replete with stories about and commands concerning widows. God cares for widows and calls His people to do the same. The Psalmist describes God as the protector and upholder of widows (Psalm 68:5, 146:9). He is the God who sent His prophet to a penniless widow and raised a destitute widow’s son (2 Kings 4:1–7, Luke 7:11–15). In the Old and New Testament, He commands His people to imitate His care, provision, and protection of widows. … Jesus echoes these Old Testament teachings when He calls out the Pharisees for their long prayers and scrupulous law-keeping while neglecting their own widowed mothers (Mark 12:40). …
God has a special care and concern for widows in general that goes beyond making sure they have food to eat. We may know many wealthy widows who are without friends. Or maybe we know widows whose families live near, but never visit. Is it not our privilege to demonstrate God’s love to them? We may not give them money or food or legal support. But perhaps there are other tangible ways we can show them the love of Christ. God calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. How can we love the widows we know as ourselves (Mark 12:31)?
God’s love and concern for widows is evident throughout scripture. The laws and principles in the Old and New Testament bear witness to God’s heart. Indeed, during His earthly ministry, Christ tangibly demonstrated His love for widows. Most significantly, He died that they—as well as we—might become part of God’s family (John 1:12). …
What a comfort and source of joy to know that we are part of a larger and everlasting family. How much more must this mean to widows who have lost husband, children, or siblings? It is our joy, as brothers and sisters of these widows, to demonstrate their incorporation into God’s family by visiting, supporting, and caring for them.—Elisabeth Bloechl2
Much earlier in my ministry, I began to include widows in the public prayers of the church where I was the pastor. I spoke at a gathering of ministers on public praying and mentioned widows among those who were often neglected in the prayers and ministry of the church. Called to care for widows in my own congregation, I began to study the Scriptures.
I soon discovered that there were very few books written about caring for widows but was taken aback by how much the Bible said about them. Whether you read Moses and the prophets, the Psalms and the Proverbs of Solomon, the four Gospels, or the book of Acts and the letters to the churches in the New Testament, you will not be able to read far without the subject of widows coming up. There are about eighty direct references to widows in the Scriptures. Why?
Fundamentally, God is the kind of God who keeps a careful eye on the widow. He is profoundly concerned for her, together with the stranger and the fatherless. He is righteous and protects them, for he is “a father of the fatherless, a defender of widows” (Psalm 68:5).
The incarnate Son of God is like him. He cared for his widowed mother (John 19:26–27), he raised from the dead the son of the widow of Nain and returned him to his mother (Luke 7:11–17), and, in the spirit of the prophets, condemned those who took advantage of widows (Mark 12:40).
God commanded that the nation of Israel care for widows, being diligent to not isolate them or take advantage of their vulnerability. Deuteronomy 16:11–14 shows how God provided for widows so that they were not excluded; instead, they enjoyed full participation in the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. …
Paul laid out clear instructions in 1 Timothy 5 about how widows were to be regarded and treated. James did not mince his words in James 1:27. He said, in effect, “Let’s be clear about the nature of real religion. It must be visible and practical. It visits widows and orphans in their trouble as well as maintains moral purity in an evil world.”—Austin Walker3
The apostle James wrote that the true practice of faith consists of both outward and inward action. Outward toward others in practical ways, and inward through devotion to God. He said: “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (James 1:27).
In his book Well Done, Dave Thomas said, “Roll-up-your-shirtsleeves Christians see Christianity as faith and action. They still make the time to talk with God through prayer, [they] study Scripture with devotion, [they are] super-active in their church and take their ministry to others to spread the Good Word.”
Jesus set the example of the “roll-up-your-shirtsleeves” concept. He constantly showed love to others. He felt compassion for those in need and was moved to loving action. He was merciful. He showed kindness. He fed the hungry and healed the afflicted. He fought against evil and unrighteousness.
Let’s do what we can to be tangible examples of God’s love for humanity by sharing Him and His love with those in need—spiritually, through introducing them to Jesus, and practically, through ministering to their other needs.—Peter Amsterdam
Grief over the death of a spouse can be emotionally devastating. Many people whose spouse has died experience suffering in their physical lives as well. Those who have been widowed often suffer from financial difficulties as well as from losing the person who was their helpmate for the toil of daily life.
Ever since biblical times, God has asked His people to care for widows. … We should also keep widows in our prayers, asking God to assist them.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for the many ways You care for us. We ask You today to pour out Your assistance on all widows.
Grief over the death of any loved one can be very difficult to bear. The death of one’s spouse can be even more devastating. Some widows struggle with grief for a long time after the death of their spouse. But You can help all these widows who have been grieving.
Please bless and assist all widows, and we particularly ask today that You help all widows who have been suffering with grief.—Pray More Novenas4
Published on Anchor August 2025. Read by Jon Marc. Music by John Listen.
1 R. C. Sproul, “Caring for Widows,” Ligonier.org, January 24, 2017, https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/caring-widows
2 Elisabeth Bloechl, “The Biblical Imperative to Care for Widows,” Modern Reformation, April 18, 2022, https://www.modernreformation.org/resources/articles/the-biblical-imperative-to-care-for-widows
3 Austin Walker, “Why Does the Bible Say So Much about Widows?” Crossway, June 3, 2015, https://www.crossway.org/articles/why-does-the-bible-say-so-much-about-widows
4 “Novena for Widows,” Praymorenovenas.com, https://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-for-widows
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