Holy Week - a Guide to PrayerSample

That passage is one of the hardest bits of Scripture you'll ever read: Jesus breathing his last breath. Now, we live with the privilege of knowing how the story ends. Or, rather, begins. We know he didn’t breathe his last breath that day. But, let’s pretend for a moment that we don’t know how the story ends. Try to take on the perspective of the people who watched him die. The promises he preached and the future they hoped for seemed to go into the grave with him. He told us he would suffer; he even told us he would die, but it actually happened—so, now what?

It's not natural for us to lean into uncertainty or pain or grief. But in order to understand the glory of his resurrection, we must share in the grief that the people felt on this day. In the middle of the day, there was darkness. In an unexpected turn of events, this beloved teacher would be arrested and mocked and crucified, and the people were left to wonder if this man really was who he said he was.

How often have we been left to wonder what the Lord was doing in our own lives? Through pain and loss, through grief and uncertainty, our faith is tested. And we have a choice. In our grief, do we walk away, or do we let him walk with us? Do we have the patience to see the darkness in our lives produce light again, or do we close our hearts to the Lord’s promise that he will never leave us or forsake us? Grief may be your reality today, but the Lord doesn’t want you to grieve alone.

The “good” in Good Friday is knowing that death did not have the final say. The “good” in Good Friday is knowing that you can trust the one who said, “In this life, you will experience trouble. But take heart, because I have overcome the world!”

By this time, it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46

Prayer For the Day

Dear Lord, thank you for always pursuing us. For loving us so much that you would take upon your shoulders the weight of our sin. You became the final atonement for things we do that get in the way of our relationship with you. You are merciful and sovereign. You are closer than we think. Would we rejoice in you when our circumstances make it easy to do so, and would we remember your sacrifice and acknowledge your goodness in seasons that feel impossibly hard? We trust you. And we thank you for what you did to be close to us. Thank you for loving us like that.

It's in your name we pray,
Amen

Thank you for being on the journey with us.

We hope this Holy Week: A Guide to Prayer helped you draw closer to Jesus and get ready to celebrate his resurrection. Easter is such a powerful reminder of God’s love, and we’d love for you to celebrate with us.

Eagle Brook Church has 14 locations across Minnesota and a thriving online community. If you’re looking for a place to grow in your faith this Easter and beyond, we'd love to connect! Visit eaglebrookchurch.com to learn more.