You can experience a closer relationship with God this Easter by preparing to celebrate during Holy Week. Rather than rushing toward the Resurrection, make time to ponder the days that led up to that key event in our faith. Taking a journey with Jesus through Holy Week prayer can inspire you with awe and help you notice the wonder of how God is always working in our world. Here’s why preparing your heart for Easter through Holy Week prayer is important, and 8 prayers to help you spiritually prepare for Easter.
Why Is It Important to Prepare our Hearts during Holy Week?
It’s important for all of us to prepare our hearts for Easter worship during Holy Week. We’ll learn and grow more by pondering the events that led up to the Resurrection than we will from just rushing into celebrating it. Easter worship will be a more meaningful experience for us – in which we can notice and appreciate more about God’s presence with us – if we nurture our relationships with God before Easter Sunday. Commemorating Holy Week by connecting with God in prayer can take us on an adventurous journey that leads us to wonder.
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 9:10 that being in awe of God’s wonder is the beginning of wisdom: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” The word that’s translated as “fear” in that verse means awe – a good of fear that involves humble reverence when encountering greatness. When we encounter God’s wonder, we’re inspired to feel awe, and that leads us to wisdom which motivates us to worship with pure motives. In John 4:23, Jesus reveals the essence of what God is looking for in worship: “The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” My book Wake Up to Wonder explains how to worship in spirit and truth, and how that can help us notice the wonder of God’s work around us. Worshiping like that involves engaging our emotions in loving communication with God’s Spirit while focusing our thoughts on the truth about who God is. In order to worship well on Easter, it’s important to first prepare our hearts during Holy Week so we’ll be connected to, and focused on, God.
8 Holy Week Prayers to Prepare for Easter
Enjoy personalizing these prayers as you journey with Jesus through Holy Week and prepare to celebrate with him on Easter Sunday:
Day 1 – Palm Sunday: “Jesus, just as the people of Jerusalem welcomed you into the city on Palm Sunday, I welcome you into every aspect of my life today. Please enter my mind and heart and renew them through your Holy Spirit. I give every situation in my life to you – both good and bad circumstances – and trust you to help me with it all. I praise you for your love and wisdom, which you offer me in any circumstances. Thank you for walking beside me on my journey through life, in both the hills and valleys of life’s ups and downs. Thank you, God, for showing me your glory through the wondrous ways you’re working in my life. I’m in awe of you, and excited to grow closer to you during the Holy Week. Amen.”
Day 2 – Holy Monday: “Today, as I think about your frustration over the fig tree that didn’t bear fruit, I ask you to forgive me for the times I’ve failed to live up to my potential. As I ponder your righteous anger at the money changers you cast out of the temple, I ask your forgiveness for when I’ve sinned against you. Please empower me to overcome temptations to sin. Thank you for serving as my advocate. Teach me to care about what matters to you. Give me the courage I need to boldly stand up for what’s right and work for justice to be done in the world. Amen.”
Day 3 – Holy Tuesday: “On this day when I remember your prayers at the Mount of Olives, I commit to devoting myself to prayer, as well. Please help me learn how to pray, to develop confidence in prayer, to build strong prayer habits, and to answer your call to pray about everything by maintaining ongoing communication with you. You prophesied on Holy Tuesday about what would happen in the future. I choose to trust you to lead me into the future well, sending me all the prophetic guidance I need to make the best decisions. Amen.”
Day 4 – Holy Wednesday: “Jesus, on this day I recall how the events of Holy Week turned toward your Crucifixion. As your disciple Judas Iscariot was planning to betray you, you were preparing for your ultimate sacrifice to save all humanity. I’m humbled by your commitment to save the world. When I reflect on the mistakes I’ve made, I’m grateful for your grace and mercy, which you’re willing to give me whenever I need them. Please help me to trust God even in the most challenging situations, as you did in your earthly life. Amen.”
Day 5 – Maundy Thursday: “My loving God, you encouraged people at the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday to love one another. Please help me receive your love and send that love flowing through my life into other people’s lives. Help me to serve others with the servant leadership you modeled for us. As you washed the Apostle Peter’s feet, he asked you to wash his hands and head too – and may I also seek your cleansing. May your Holy Spirit renew my mind and empower me to develop the attitudes that will help me become spiritually strong and motivate me to join your work bringing hope to this world. Just as your disciples took Communion with you during the Last Supper, may I also grow in unity with you and other believers. Amen.”
Day 6 – Good Friday: “Jesus, I’m eternally grateful that you died on the cross to save humanity – including me – from sin. Because of your sacrifice, I can enjoy a relationship with God forever. Thank you for saving my soul, and for saving the world, so we can all have real hope for the future. Your compassionate suffering and death during the Crucifixion remind me of the awe-inspiring mystery that there are no limits to your love. Just as Good Friday isn’t the end of the Easter story, I know that every day of my life moves me toward a good future when I trust you to lead me there. Amen.”
Day 7 – Holy Saturday: “On this day when your body rested in your tomb, Jesus, I’m thinking of how important your timing is to fulfill your purpose. Please help me to be patient when I’m facing a time of waiting. Meet me where I am as I seek you, so I can be aware of your presence with me. I commit to making time in my busy schedule for silence and solitude that will help me overcome distractions and focus on you. Amen.”
Day 8 – Easter Sunday: “Wonderful God, my soul is filled with joy as I celebrate the Resurrection today! Thank you that you’re alive, and that you want a relationship with me. I want to enjoy a relationship with you, as well. After Jesus rose from the grave on the first Easter, an angel told people “do not be afraid” (Matthew 28:5). I can rise beyond fear this Easter by trusting you. I’m looking forward to new adventures together day by day. I love you, Lord! Amen.”
Conclusion
Praying throughout Holy Week will prepare you to enjoy a wonderful Easter celebrating the Resurrection. “LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago,” Isaiah 25:1 declares. Holy Week prayer will help you connect with God in ways that help you appreciate the meaning of those wonderful things that led up to Easter. Then you’ll be inspired to grow closer to God on Easter and beyond!
Photo Credit: GettyImages/Boonyachoat
Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on X/Twitter.