How's Your Prayer Life?

This is Holy Week. It is the final week of Jesus’ life, which leads up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. The most important days of this week are Palm Sunday, when we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Maundy Thursday (“maundy” comes from the Latin, meaning “commandment”), where we remember Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples and His time in Gethsemane, then the time from there through Good Friday, where He suffered and died a horrible death, nailed to a cross for our sins. Holy Saturday is the day of quiet and waiting, as Jesus’ body rests in the tomb.

• Sunday, March 29th -- Palm Sunday: Lord Jesus, this is the week we remember all that You did for us. How can we thank You? We know we cannot repay You for all You have done on our behalf. We want to give You our whole lives, but we even fail at that, Lord. Forgive us and help us, Lord. Help us to love You with our whole hearts, Amen.
• Monday, March 30th: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 21:1-7. In v. 3, the Scripture says that it was enough for the disciples to say, “The Lord needs them.” What would it do for you/to you if you began to look at everything in your life (possessions, work, family, etc.) as, “The Lord needs them?” How would it change your perspective of these things and people around you? What if you looked at yourself this way?
• Tuesday, March 31th: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 21:5-11. By riding a donkey rather than a stallion, Jesus conveyed a certain message; a message of peace and humility. If Jesus rode into a capital city today, what vehicle would convey a similar message – a motorcycle? A truck? A car? A bicycle? How do you think the officials of that city would respond to Him, and how would the common people of our day respond to Him? How would the news media cover this story? What would you honestly think about this event?
• Wednesday, April 1st: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 21:5. Note that the prophecy referred to the Messiah as “king.” How often do we in our day truly refer to Jesus in this way? Do you think we overplay or underplay this title and role of Jesus and why? What do you think it means to be a subject of a King? How might this affect your relationship with the Lord?
• Thursday, April 2nd -- Maundy Thursday: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 21:9-11 with Matthew 26:14-46. Have you ever pondered how Jesus managed to get through this week? The “high” of the Triumphal Entry with everyone shouting “Hosanna” and calling out His name joyously, then to the low (and only to get lower) as one of His close disciples betrays Him for 30 pieces of silver, while three others fall asleep in His most desperate hour. While we cannot fully understand all of this pain, what has happened in your life that feels similar to these events? Have things turned in a matter of days? Have you been betrayed? Have your friends “fallen asleep” when you needed them? Jesus KNOWS. Take time to pray through this with Him, recognizing how close He can be in your hardest moments.
• Friday, April 3rd -- Good Friday: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 26:47-56 with Luke 22:54-23:49 and John 18:1-19:30.
• Saturday, April 4 th -- Holy Saturday: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 27:57-66; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42.
• Sunday, April 5th -- RESURRECTION DAY: Alleluia! Christ is Risen from the grave! Almighty God, we give You alone honor and praise for the resurrection of Your Son our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. He is the Lamb of God, Who has taken away the sins of the world by His suffering and death on the cross. Because You have raised Him to life, we who have put our faith in Him are also raised to new life. He has destroyed death and won the eternal victory! Blessed be Your Name forever and ever, Amen!
• Monday, April 6th: Prayerfully read or listen to John 20:1-10. Write down all the details that actually have nothing to do with the Resurrection of Jesus. List as many as you can, and consider this: why are these details in Scripture? Why do they matter, and how do they help your faith? What details are important to the Resurrection account? If time allows, consider the other Gospel accounts and do the same thing (see Matt. 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-11).
• Tuesday, April 7th: Prayerfully read or listen to John 20:10-11, 14-15. Why do you think Mary stayed at the tomb, while the disciples left? Does she appear to be waiting for a miracle, or do you think she stayed there for a different reason? How would you describe the different emotional states between the two disciples and Mary? Who would you be more like – the two men or Mary, and why? How does Psalm 34:18 apply especially to Mary at this moment, in more than one way?
• Wednesday, April 8th: Prayerfully read or listen to John 20:11-18. Mary looked in the tomb a second time, but didn’t perceive the angels as heavenly beings. She didn’t perceive Jesus as Himself at first – then He said her name (see John 10:3). Have you ever had an experience where you heard Jesus call your name? If not that specifically, have you ever known a time when Jesus spoke to you so specifically, you absolutely KNEW it was Him? What was that like for you? If that has never happened to you, perhaps this might be something to pray about and ask Him to speak to you clearly.
• Thursday, April 9th: Prayerfully read or listen to the story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus, which took place just a week before Jesus’ death and resurrection. See John 11:1-45. If you don’t have time for the entire section, read John 11:17-45. What similarities do you notice between the two events? Try and list as many as you can. As on Monday, also note as many “extra” details that you can, and consider why they are included. 
• Friday, April 10th: Prayerfully read or listen to John 11:39-45. Why did Jesus insist that Martha get people to remove the stone? Couldn’t He have just declared that it be so? And why was it important that Jesus speak Lazarus’ name? Why not just say, “Come out?” Beyond the obvious, can you think of any further insights to Jesus calling someone back from the dead and then declaring, “Take of the grave clothes and let him go?” Can you see how that might apply to you or other believers? What “grave clothes” might still be binding you?
• Saturday, April 11th: Review each of these Scriptures, questions, and prayers that you have worked through this week. Which one, or which theme, resonated with you? Pray through these things again as the Spirit leads you!