Greetings Prayer Warriors,
Holy Week is almost upon us, a time to meditate on the Passion of the Lord. Even if you haven’t succeeded in all of your Lenten practices, be sure to lean in here. There is such a large contrast between Palm Sunday, where Christ was loved and praised, to his crucifixion just 5 days later where he was mocked and killed for speaking Truth.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.”
Perhaps you have experienced the swing of being both loved and hated in your family. Place yourself with Jesus and meditate on the heavy emotion of feeling unloved by those you care about most. Then remember that Jesus never stopped loving those who ignored or hated him.
“I do believe, help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24
Can you remember a time when you experienced a verbal or physical lashing? Contemplate that pain and experience Jesus’s cries during his scourging, remembering that he was making atonement for your sin.
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ Luke 18:13
If you’ve ever been jeered at and humiliated, you will never forget it. Yet Christ allowed himself to have a crown of thorns pounded into his head, old cloth as a robe, and a stick as a scepter as he was mocked as a self-proclaimed king. Consider the times in your life when you rejected him as king. Draw close to console him, promising to make him the forever King of your life.
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ Luke 18:13
Perhaps there was a time when you were saddled with family burdens, or had to carry the burden for your family. As you contemplate your exhaustion, meditate on the weight of Jesus’ cross and how crushing the sin of the world must have been. Consider that he would do it all over again for you, not because of your love, but because of his.
“I do believe, help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24
During the Crucifixion, Jesus “appears” to be powerless as he is nailed to the cross. Think of a time you felt powerless, helpless, and all alone, but when you turned to Jesus, he intervened to assist you.
LORD, your mercy endures forever. Psalm 138:8
As we enter the final stretches of Lent, let us continue to pray for our families and each other, repeating, “Not my will but yours be done.”
Dear Lord, please bless and strengthen the prayer warriors and their families, as they push through this last week of Lent. Give them the grace of perseverance needed to be a perfect reflection of your love!
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Share His love. Pass it on!
