A Holy Week of Prayer

Dear Friends in Christ:

For the Christian Church, there is no more holy week in our church year calendar than the eight days from Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion to Easter.

For each one of us who are called “Christians”, this week is the reason for our faith. So, I am inviting you to join me in a daily discipline of praying beginning this Sunday, April 5th through Easter Day, April 12th. Let us pray that we might focus on Jesus as “the pioneer and perfector of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

† Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion—April 5th
Prayer of the Day:
“Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection.”

† Monday in Holy Week—April 6th:
Prayer of the Day:
“O God, your Son chose the path that led to pain before joy and to the cross before glory. Plant his cross in our hearts, so that in its power and love we may come at last to joy and glory.”

† Tuesday in Holy Week—April 7th:
Prayer of the Day:
“Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you. Grant that our love may not grow cold in your service, and that we may not fail or deny you in the time of trial.”

† Wednesday in Holy Week—April 8th
Prayer of the Day:
“Almighty God, your Son our Savior suffered at human hands and endured the shame of the cross. Grant that we may walk in the way of his cross and find it the way of life and peace.”

† Maundy Thursday—April 9th
Prayers of the Day:
“Holy God, source of all love, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment, to love one another as he loves us. Write this commandment in our hearts, and give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all.”
“Eternal God, in the sharing of a meal your Son established a new covenant for all people, and in the washing of feet he showed us the dignity of service. Grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit these signs of our life in faith may speak again to our hearts, feed our spirits, and refresh our bodies.”

† Good Friday—April 10th
Prayer of the Day:
“Almighty God, look with loving mercy on your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, to be given over to the hands of sinners, and to suffer death on the cross.”

† Saturday Vigil of Easter—April 11th
Prayer of the Day:
“O God, you are the creator of the world, the liberator of your people, and the wisdom of the earth. By the resurrection of your Son free us from our fears, restore us in your image, and ignite us with your light, throught Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.”

† Resurrection of Our Lord/Easter Day—April 12th
Prayers of the Day:
“O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection.”
“God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”

Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen, Indeed!

—Pastor David Fetter