The Season of Easter is upon us, and with it, we have the opportunity to open our hearts to become prepared to step into the fullness of what Easter represents. Instead of getting caught up in new Church outfits, big dinners, egg hunts, and bunnies, we have an open invitation to connect with the Lord to richly understand what Easter signifies and means for us today.
1. Prayer for Gratitude in Jesus Coming to Earth
Father God,
Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to this earth. We recall the words of John 3:16, "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Lord, we do not take that lightly. Knowing that Jesus came to this earth as a baby to take on the punishment we deserved, was tortured, and died for us is overwhelming. And then to keep Your promise in that He did not remain dead but instead rose again. Father, help us not overlook or ever stop saying in the most sincere fashion, "Thank You." May our hearts come to a place of genuine and complete gratitude in that which You have done, and may we take this attitude of thankfulness with us into this season of Easter.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
2. Prayers for Proper Focus
Father God,
Help us keep our perspectives and focus correctly attuned to what this season means. Many things fight for our attention in life, from work to family to the distractions of the day to day. We then have to make the conscious choice to let those distractions run away with our hearts or set our minds upon You instead. Lord, in this season, we ought to recall and rejoice in the victory of the cross. In this time, we ought to remember the sacrifice made for our souls, and it is in this time that we can come together to worship You. Let us not become consumed by commercialism or the facets of the Easter season that have nothing to do with You; instead, help us set our minds on You and You alone and all You have to reveal and teach us in this time.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
3. Prayers for New Revelations
Father God,
We come before You in prayer for what it is in Your heart to reveal to us in this exact time. We can read the Word over and over again, but each time unlock and uncover through Your Spirit something new to cling to, embrace, or come into an understanding with. Lord, help us not miss what You want to show us in this time. You are a good Father who gives good things, and our heart's desire to come to know You more intimately on this earth. In preparing for this Easter season, allow us to come before You with ears ready to hear and hearts ready to embrace all that You have for us.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
4. Prayers for Encouraging Family
Father God,
Easter is also a time when we have the opportunity to come alongside those in our family. Some family members may celebrate Easter by tradition, not fully understanding what Easter represents and means. Lord, guide us as Your followers in lovingly helping to encourage these people we are surrounded with in what You want them to know in this time. Perhaps it is the love of Christ, or maybe it is the hope that although things can look so dead and hopeless as they did on Good Friday, there is joy in the morning as in Easter Morning. Perhaps it is in coming alongside others in sincere love and loving them as Christ loved us, showing them the authentic truth of what it means to not only say you are a Christian but to genuinely follow Christ in attitude and action. Lord, use us in the ways You see fit to help those in our circles and communities to truly know Your heart through us. May we represent You well.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
5. Prayers for Holy Week
Father God,
Holy Week is in itself a place of coming into preparation for the glorious day of Easter Sunday. Guide us in our study of the Word, what each day holds, and what each day represents in the significance of Holy Week. Cultivate a hunger within us to understand why You chose Passover Week to be the week in which Easter would occur. Stir a curiosity in us of what the Last Supper meant not only in the Jewish tradition, but the grand story You were writing all along in sending Jesus to earth. Reveal to our minds and spirits how the weight of Good Friday was in truth good despite such a dark moment, and why even more Easter Sunday is the day of Light and fulfilled promise. We want to come into a place of understanding so that we can even begin to grasp how You are a good God who has purpose in every single moment.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
6. Prayers for Living Out the Goodness of Easter
Father God,
We pray that we may be inspired to live out the glory of Easter every single day, not just a single day in Spring. As believers, Easter holds the significant meaning that we have access to come before You, Father, through Christ in an intimate and close relationship. Jesus tore the veil between You and man, Father God, and that is something we ought not to take lightly or for granted. We remember Matthew 27:51, "When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split." Help us live our lives in a way that we are not confused but the things of this earth, but rather are consumed with the truth of Who Christ is and what it means to be a child of You. Teach our hearts to live life abundantly, wearing the truth daily that we are so profoundly cherished that we were worth dying for.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
Easter Week is something we can prepare our hearts to enter into with an expectation of something beautiful and grand that God seeks to do within us. We can also invite others into it that they too may come to know how much the Lord loves them. Let this time be something that you carry out into your daily life, not just for one day of the year, and sit with wide-eyed expectation that God has something completely beautiful to show you.
Cally Logan is an author and US History teacher from Richmond, Virginia. Her works have been featured on "The 700 Club Interactive," “Jesus Calling Blog,” and “Coffee and Bible Time,” among several notable outlets. She served as a mentor for young women for several years and enjoys challenging women to develop deeper relationships with God and to live fearlessly and authentically. She received her B.A. Degree from Regent University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time in nature, having genuine chats over coffee, and woodworking. Her new book, The Wallflower That Bloomed, is available everywhere now. Connect with Cally: @CallyLogan Instagram CallyLogan.com