A Season of Hope: Preparing Our Hearts for Easter
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
May we join together to pray on this holy Sabbath day and in this season of hope, asking God to prepare our hearts for Easter. Wherever you are today, whether you are alone or with another, join with The Church all over this nation and the world to lift up prayers to the Lord for all: our country, our families, friends, and our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering from persecution.
Our most gracious heavenly Father, giver of life and every good gift, we praise You for Your mighty power and Your love for us. We acknowledge that some of us at times have taken our eyes off of You and we have placed our faith and hope in other things besides You. Our trust in Your sovereign will has wavered a bit. We have placed blame where it wasn’t warranted; we have demonstrated greed; we have put ourselves first and ignored the needs of others. We humbly beg for forgiveness.
Please, Lord God, we ask that You would protect the weak and vulnerable, strengthen those who care for the elderly, sick and infirm. Provide wisdom to our leaders, and spread unity throughout our land so that we have a common purpose of moving beyond our differences to deal with the problems that plague our nation.
Mighty God, use us to shine the Light in the darkness and speak the truth of Your Love. Remind us of Your command to love our neighbors as ourselves and to put selfishness aside. During this season, as we prepare for Easter, may each of us have a renewed sense of Your resurrection power that heals the body, mind, soul and spirit. We pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus, who died on the cross so we can experience that resurrection power in our own lives. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
“Now may the LORD of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The LORD be with all of you.”
