3 Prayers for Easter Weekend

3 Prayers for Easter Weekend

“They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’”-Luke 24:32

On the afternoon of the first Easter Sunday, Jesus met two disciples who were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. These two disciples were talking about all that had happened over the last week in Jerusalem. Jesus casually joins their conversation, and for a long time, they don’t even realize who Jesus is. After some time, they arrive at Emmaus and Jesus shares a meal with them. When he breaks the bread, their eyes are opened to behold the Savior.

Easter weekend is one of the two most important events on the church calendar. As such, I’d like to ask you to join me in praying these three prayers for Easter Weekend 2023:

1)New Faces: The two disciples on the road to Emmaus are unnamed. They weren’t part of the group of familiar disciples that we know. In the same way, there are many in our community who we don’t yet know that need to come into closer contact with Jesus. They need to share a meal with him. They need to meet their Savior. Easter weekend is the time for them to do exactly that. Will you join me in praying that new faces fill the sanctuary on Sunday, April 9?

2)New Understanding: The disciples on the road to Emmaus were witnesses to all that had taken place in Jerusalem over the last week. They heard Jesus teach. They knew of his arrest. They may have even witnessed his crucifixion. But they did not yet fully understand who he was. Jesus gave them new understanding from the Scriptures. Will you join me in praying that God reveals himself to us in new and incredible ways through the reading and preaching of his Word on Easter Sunday?

3)New Hope: The disciples on the road to Emmaus were downcast. “They stood still, looking sad.” But after they ate with Jesus, their “hearts burned” within them. There is much to be sad about in our day. Would you join me in praying that on Easter Sunday, God gives us new hope in Christ?

If you know a new face, who needs a new understanding of Christ, and a new hope in Him, please invite them to church on Easter Sunday. You might be surprised – they may just say yes.

Your Pastor and Friend,
John Knox Foster

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