6 Prayers to Set Your Heart on Jesus this Easter

The Apostle Paul tells us, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2). When we are meditating on fostering a focused heart, we are going to have to practice mindfulness. While many people associate mindfulness with Eastern thought, it can be biblical. Mindfulness is to be entirely focused and alert to what you are doing.

People try to be mindful of their relationships, appreciating life, or even eating. Mindfulness in these situations can help a person become more focused. This is why we have to be mindful and have a focused heart. Reflect on Jesus, think about all the good He has done in the past, and set your heart on Him. Easter will be full of joy when you start focusing on Him.

“Dear Lord, please help me to have a focused heart this Easter. I want to set my heart on You, but I often struggle. There are so many things grabbing my attention. Today, I'm choosing to focus on You. Help me to be mindful and to always set my heart on You. Amen.”

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/roberthyrons

Easter can also help many of us be led to repentance. Sometimes, we need to pray directly for repentance, especially if we know we have been far from God. We won’t be able to set our hearts on Jesus if we are not living with a repentant heart. Living in sin and also following Jesus is not possible. The Lord tells us we can only serve one master (Matthew 6:24).

We cannot serve both Jesus and the sinful flesh. This Easter, we need to look carefully at our own lives. Are we living for Jesus with a heart of repentance or for the sinful flesh? By answering this question, we can set our hearts upon the Lord. No longer will sin or distance from the Lord impair our walk with Him. Repentance brings us back to Jesus and acknowledges our dependence on Him.

“Dear Jesus, please bring my heart to repentance. If I live in active sin, I won’t be able to set my heart on You. You are the purpose and the meaning of Easter. Help me use this holiday as a time to return to You. Thank You for drawing me back to You. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.”

Photo Credit: Getty/ArtPlus

Without Jesus's resurrection, there would be no hope for eternity. Therefore, when we discuss setting our hearts on Jesus this Easter, it can help if we think about eternity. The Eternal Kingdom will be our forever home (Revelation 21). This is only possible because of Jesus. If the Lord didn’t die for our sins, we would still be lost and separated from Him.

This Easter, reflect on the promise of eternity with the Lord. If we are distracted by other things, focusing on eternity can help us remember reality and the true meaning of Easter: Jesus. Jesus deserves all our time and attention because He is our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer. Because of Him, we can have hope for the future and be brought into the Eternal Kingdom.

“Dear Jesus, in order to set my heart on You this Easter, I need to reflect on eternity. I only have eternal hope because of You. I could never ‘earn’ my way into Heaven. Rather, it is only by placing faith in You that I am redeemed and blessed with eternal life. Please help me always to remember this truth. Amen.”   

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images/Tonktiti

When we think of thankfulness, we often think of Thanksgiving. However, thankfulness should not only be associated with one holiday. The Bible tells us repeatedly to give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Psalm 107:1). Thankfulness needs to be expressed to the Lord throughout our year, including Easter. We can give thanks because it is the anniversary of the Lord’s death on the cross.

Jesus didn’t have to die for our sins, yet He wanted to. He wanted to die for our sins because He loves us. This is precisely what Paul tells us, “and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). As believers, we need to give thanks for Jesus’ love, goodness, and forgiveness this Easter. Go to Him in prayer and allow gratitude to fill your heart.

“Dear Jesus, I lift up my heart in thanksgiving. I praise You and thank You for all that you have done for me and all you continue to do for me. I’m not worthy of Your goodness and love, yet You still shower me with Your grace. Thank You, Lord, for everything. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.”

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/natalie_board

If we don’t align our priorities this Easter, our hearts will never be focused on the Lord. Whenever we set something else up as the idol of our life, Jesus takes a backseat. As believers, we don’t need to do this. Rather than allowing the things of the world to take up our time and attention, we need to focus on the Lord and set our hearts on Him.

To do this, we need to set our priorities in line. This means that we place Jesus as the most important person in our life. Even good things, such as our families or friends, can become higher on the list than Jesus, but we must start getting our priorities in line. Our priorities need to be in alignment with Jesus. Jesus is the One who died for us and has given us eternal life through His Name. He always needs to be the top priority in our life, on Easter and every other day of the year.

“Dear Lord, please help me set priorities in line with You. You are the most important person in my life. I love You and want You to know that You always come first. Please help me align my priorities and set you at the top of my list. Whether it is Easter or a regular day of the year, help me to make You my top priority. Amen.”

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/BitsAndSplits

Closely connected with the prayer above, we must establish Jesus as Lord to set our hearts on Him this Easter. We will never see Him as our Lord if we don’t submit to Jesus’ authority. Only those who have placed faith in Jesus can say He is the Lord of their life (1 Corinthians 12:3). If a person has discovered through prayer and reflection that Jesus is not the Lord of their life, then they can freely come to Him and accept Him.

Accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord means placing faith in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 10:9). Once you have established Jesus as your Savior and Lord, your heart will be set on Him. Even if you are already a believer, utilize this time to re-establish Jesus as Lord. Easter is the perfect time for true self-reflection and immersing ourselves in our walk with the Lord. Jesus is Lord, and He can be the Lord of your life, too.

“Dear Jesus, You are Lord. I’m sorry for spending so much of my life fighting You. I’m accepting You as my Savior and Lord today. Bring my heart to be focused on You today and every day going further. I love You, Lord, and thank You for loving me. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.”

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Arthit_Longwilai