It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.” Saying this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:44-46
Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way He has opened for us through the curtain (that is, His flesh), and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22
My words…
Praise
God, You are the One who makes the impossible possible. It’s impossible for the sun to fail for three hours in the middle of the day. It’s impossible for the sanctuary curtain to split in two down the middle. It’s impossible for one person to carry the guilt of everyone else. Yet it all happened on the same day. You lowered the lights on the stage, opened the curtain, and gave everyone free admission to heaven. Your Son paid the ticket price. Paid in full. Paid in blood.
Prayer for me
Help me grasp a deeper understanding of the price paid that day. I have so few words to go by in the gospels. Your Spirit was there, watching the scene unfold, the scene that had been foretold. I look to You, Spirit, to replace any of my misconceptions with Your perspective. A little at a time is fine.
Forgive me
Forgive me for not falling on my face in gratitude and praise for all that happened that day, the day that changed everything that means anything.
Prayer for others
I think about those who were in the temple when the curtain tore from the top down. There they stood, gaping into the one place they were strictly forbidden to enter. Word must have spread through the temple courtyard and through the city. Hurry! Get a seamstress to repair the curtain! For there couldn’t be a way for just any ole person to enter the Most Holy Place. Impossible!
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow – to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So couldn’t you stay awake with Me one hour? Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:36-41.
My words…
Praise
Father, when I think of Gethsemane, I see the setting of the preamble of the holy declaration, the definitive affirmation of Your love for Your creation. It was just an olive grove, a secluded place set off from the city of Jerusalem. Yet never had any garden on earth been the focal point of so much power. Jesus wasn’t alone. Father, You were there; it was Your will that illuminated the road to Golgatha. Your Spirit was there, strengthening Jesus to endure the weight of every sin that had or will be committed and still have the physical strength to carry his own cross. And Satan was there, wasn’t he? He wouldn’t miss the opportunity to cast his net of torment over Jesus. He belittled the Plan. He poked holes in its soundness. I’m sure he offered all manner of revisions. You willed. Jesus submitted. The Spirit strengthened. Satan tempted. Angels hovered. The disciples slept.
Prayer for me
I am somewhat validated by the fact that the disciples gave in to their weak flesh when they should have been spiritually on guard. I give in all the time. But I also struggle with double weakness. Not only is my flesh unwilling, there are times when my spirit is unwilling as well. What a wretch I am! I need the strength to remain on guard, and I earnestly pray for a inpouring of nourishment from the Spirit.
Forgive me
Forgive me when I have been called upon to watch and pray, and I have fallen asleep, or have put it off, or have forgotten altogether. Watching and praying – the roadblock to entering into temptation. Forgive me when I walk around it.
Prayer for others
I love that Jesus was so concerned for His disciples all through his agonizing ordeal in the garden. He was teaching them right up until the end. He knew they would need to learn to watch and pray if they were to spread His message of love and safety to a lost generation. I pray for Your disciples the world over. What a beautiful body of spirits! Help us all to be willing, both in spirit and flesh, to keep our eyes and hearts open to those living without You.
Gratitude and Praise
Father, You planned for the scene in Gethsemane before you separated light fromdarkness. There was no other way, and You knew it. You are One with the Son and the Spirit. You all recognized the destruction of sin and its horrific effect on Your lovely creation. You all suffered together, Your agony manifested in the drops of blood seeping through the pores of Jesus. The host of heaven stood ready to block the path to Calvary, but they knew You would never allow it, and, for that, they praised Your holy name. As do I.
When they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you will find a young donkey tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. So they went and found a young donkey outside in the street, tied by a door. They brought the donkey to Jesus and threw their robes on it, and He sat on it. Many people spread their robes on the road, and others spread leafy branches cut from the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed kept shouting: Hosanna! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One! The coming kingdom of our father David is blessed! Hosanna in the highest heaven! Mark 11:1-2, 4, 7-10
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The bow of war will be removed, and He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth. Zechariah 9:9-10
My words…
Praise
You knew this would be Your last journey into Jerusalem, and You knew this would be the time You would fulfill Zechariah’s prophesy written 500 years before. It was time to find the colt and attend Your coronation as King. You didn’t arrive on a horse and saddle like a warrior. You rode an animal of peace with coats of Your followers to sit on. Trumpets and cymbals didn’t accost Your ears; they were caressed by the praise of the people who had felt Your healing touch, learned from Your parables, and witnessed Your compassion. Some had been following You for days, months, or years, walking from town to town, sleeping on the ground or in a borrowed bed. Not the life of a king. But when You mounted a donkey as You entered Jerusalem, Your royal processional began – Your Triumphal Entry. The people recognized it for what it was. It was not proper that the feet of the animal carrying the King should touch the ground, so they carpeted the path with branches. “Hosanna!” they shouted. “Save us!” It was as if the people finally “got it,” and they could not hold back their praise. The Apostles soaked in the adulation, proud to say to anyone who would listen, “I’m with this guy. I travel with the King.” It wasn’t much of a coronation, compared to that of Solomon, for example. But Your Triumphal Entry “fit.” It fit Your message of humility, approachability, and simplicity. My spirit is lifted each time I read it.
Prayer for me
Not long after this coronation event, You were killed. The mood of the city darkened and the cries of “Hosanna!” were replaced by the shouts of “Crucify Him!” The Apostles, who had followed You for years, scattered. Would I have attended Your coronation and shouted “Hosanna!”? Absolutely. At Your crucifixion, would I have scattered? Probably. I come to You, the well where I draw strength, and ask for a deeper faith, so during the dark times, I will not scatter.
Forgive me
Forgive me when I neglect to praise You for the innumerable reasons You should be praised. You are my King, but I don’t spend enough time and energy proclaiming that to You or others.
Thank You
Thank You for riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, sitting on other people’s coats. You accepted the praise of the poorest of Jews, laying branches at Your feet. I am so grateful to know that I don’t have to hold a position of power, wear fancy clothes, or claim a certain level of education to praise You. You accept praise from anyone.
More praise
You are the blessed One who came down from the highest heaven where angelic praise is perfect and fitting, to a dusty road riding on a donkey, accepting the inharmonious praise of imperfect people. And it was all right with You. And that’s another thing I love about You. Hosanna, Lord! Save me!
When the sun was setting, all those who had anyone sick with various diseases brought them to Jesus. As He laid His hands on each one of them, He would heal them. Luke 4:40
Then Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. And while He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. After worshiping Him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were continually in the temple complex praising God. Luke 24:50-53
My words…
One of my bibles is very old, the binding worn. I like that bible because Your words are written in red ink. Many times, I would open my bible and read the red words only, and that was enough for me. But I have learned that Your hands tell a silent story of their own. I picture them small and smooth, clutching Mary as Your family fled for Your lives into Egypt. You grew to learn carpentry skills, and You earned every cut and scar on Your palms and fingers. They were immersed in river water at Your baptism and cracked and dry during Your time of fasting and temptation in the wilderness. You did not recoil in the presence of those with unsightly, contagious diseases, oh no. You reached toward them, touched them, and cleansed them. Peter’s mother in law felt the touch of Your hand, and her fever fled. You placed Your fingers on the eyes of the blind so they could see. In the presence of thousands, You held loaves of bread and caused them to multiply. Just as Peter began to sink into the sea, You caught hold of him and asked about his faith. During one of the most insightful scenes in scripture, You placed Your weary hands on a group of little children and smiled and blessed them. A woman who had walked bent over for 18 years stood upright when You touched her disfigured body. You used Your hands to teach a lesson on justice when You overturned the tables of the temple money changers. You placed Your fingers in a deaf man’s ears, and Your soothing voice was the first sound he heard. You neglected to wash Your hands when dining with a Pharisee and used the occasion to teach him what true cleanliness is. The apostles never forgot the touch of Your hands on their feet when You washed them. You broke a loaf of unleavened bread and held a cup of wine as You served the first Lord’s Supper. You carried Your own cross, and the pain from the splinters did not compare to the pain caused by the iron spikes piercing Your palms. And then, the final time Your hands were seen, they were lifted in a position of blessing. How fitting.
Even if Your spoken words were never captured in red ink, I would still be able to know You, learn from You, and love You just by reading about Your hands. That is enough for me.
When I think of you as I lie on my bed, I meditate on You during the night watches because You are my helper; I will rejoice in the shadow of Your wings. I follow close to You; Your right hand holds on to me. Psalm 63:6-8
My words…
As You welcome Your daughter, Judith…
She no longer draws breath on earth; instead, she breathes the pure air of Paradise. Her eyes no longer look upon her family, yet she sees everything they do. Her words of wisdom and humor will be repeated to the next generation. With grace, she accepted the truth that her days were but a few. She did not blame You or curse You. She knew what to expect when the end came, for the mysterious moment from life to death was something she witnessed nearly every day. When the final days became one long night, You were her helper. She followed close to You; Your right hand held on to her. She didn’t linger in the shadow of death but in the shadow of Your wings. And there she will remain for eternity.
Then they went into Capernaum, and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the scribes, he was teaching them as one having authority. Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, “What do You have to do with us, Jesus-Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are – the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit convulsed him, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so they began to argue with one another, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” News about Him then spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee. Mark 1:21-27
My words…
Praise
Praise be to the Holy One of God whose presence ensures that unclean spirits have a really bad day. They are not powerful enough to withstand Your authority. They wish they could, but when You give them an order, they must obey. And they often do so kicking and screaming. The scribes and teachers of the law did not see through their own piety and recognize the Son of God standing in their midst. The demons saw clearly through their own wickedness and recognized You as the only One they would be forced to obey. They disobeyed a direct order from their master and obeyed You instead. They know the fullness of Your power better than I. Here is where I can take a lesson from an unclean spirit: Obey the Holy One of God!
Prayer for me
Obedience happens for a reason. I have spent nearly a lifetime obeying: You, parents, bosses, rules and regulations. I obey because there is a reward attached, and I focus on the reward. When I obey You, there is a reward attached, and I most definitely focus on that everlasting reward of life with You in a place without sadness and pain. But when I obey You, I am drawn to the truth that You are pleased. Especially when I do it with a full heart, not kicking and screaming. The more fully I obey, the broader Your smile. Therein lies my reward.
Forgive me
Disobedience happens for a reason. I have spent nearly a lifetime disobeying: You, parents, bosses, rules and regulations. I disobey because I lose sight of the reward. I plant my wants and needs in front of my own face and do what I please. I don’t think about the impact on anyone else. It’s called pride. When I disobey You, I am drawn to the truth that You are displeased. Therein lies my confession and request for forgiveness.
More praise
What reason could I possibly give for not obeying You when the wind and waves obeyed Your voice, when the sun and moon obeyed and held their places in the sky during Joshua’s battle with the Amorites, when the Red Sea split in obedience for Moses? The seas and the sun obey You gladly; they do so in submission to their Master. How much more should I obey You – the Master of my life, the One who has proven His love for me? How much more?
I will praise the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad. Proclaim Yahweh’s greatness with me; let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him from all his troubles. The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them. Psalm 34:1-7
My words…
A prayer of praise
To whom do I offer praise when the rays of the sun warm my face and when the winter wind stings it? When I am light and carefree and when I am bogged down with trouble? Whom do I exalt when I witness the defeat of evil and the victory of righteousness?
You.
Who gathers innumerable circles and forms a sphere? Who holds infinity in His hand? Who exists in a black hole and the depths of the ocean at the same time?
You.
Who cools my overheated spirit when I am enraged by evil? Who whispers comfort when my heart is twisted and my hands are wrung out? When I am terrified for my child, who reminds me that You are in control? Who gathers my distress and fear and flings it across the universe?
You.
To whom do I glorify for my moments of immeasurable joy and contentment? When the crocus and iris greet me in spring, at whom do I marvel? Who is ascribed all honor and power when the thunder shakes my house?
You.
Who encamps around me when the Enemy assails me with arrows of doubt and barbs of skepticism? Who rallies His armies and orders His archangels to draw their swords and stand against my Enemy on my behalf? When I think about death and tremble, who brings His words to my mind to sustain me?
Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities and intended to break into them. Then Hezekiah strengthened his position by rebuilding the entire broken-down wall and heightening the towers and the other outside wall. He repaired the supporting terraces of the city of David, and made an abundance of weapons and shields. He set military commanders over the people and gathered the people in the square of the city gate. Then he encouraged them, saying, “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria or before the large army that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. He has only human strength, but we have Yahweh our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people relied on the words of King Hezekiah of Judah. 2 Chronicles 32:1, 5-8
My words…
Praise
Lord, to You everything is now. You see the city of Jerusalem surrounded by Assyrians while King Hezekiah rallies his terrified people, and You see me writing this prayer to You – all at the sametime. Do you glance along the line of events spread out before You and see the ancient, pagan Assyrians and the modern-day reprobates as living in the same camp? They both defy the armies of the Living God. They laugh at things I don’t find funny, and they sneer at truths I hold dear. They prey on the defenseless and flaunt their arrogance. They take what is not theirs then mock their victims. They poison the airwaves with toxic lies, claiming You, their Creator and Savior, are powerless, deaf, and vindictive. I live a non-violent life, but I claim these “Assyrians” as my enemy.
Praise be to You – the God whose eye is trained on my enemies. They never wander from Your sight or hide from You. Just as You saved Jerusalem, so You will save me. Although Hezekiah’s army was outnumbered on the ground, they weren’t in the air. The Israelites did not wield a sword or launch an arrow. You unleashed Your heavenly warriors to vanquish Sennacherib’s army. And when he fled to his home, his children welcomed him by killing him. Complete defeat.
Prayer for others
When I hear of children being shackled and starved in their own homes, of the elderly being murdered for a social security check, of women being abused because they cannot defend themselves, of missionaries imprisoned for proclaiming Your name, I know the “Assyrians” are at the gate. You see all, and Your army is greater in number and strength. Fight for them, Lord!
Prayer for me
So, here’s the hard part. I live under the covenant of love and forgiveness. If I understand it correctly, I am to love my enemies. When I read the account of Sennacherib’s defeat and assassination, I cheer. When I read the news report that a rapist came to harm in his jail cell, I smile. Is that wrong? The fact that I am questioning my reaction leads me to believe that it is. These evil-doers may be reprehensible, but they are souls – souls worth saving. They are sinners. I am a sinner. You are the One who saves all of us Assyrians.
He who testified about these things says, “Yes. I am coming quickly.” Amen! Come Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20
My words…
Praise
There is one single truth that can make a gloomy day bright, or a futile task worthwhile: Jesus is coming back! If I want to ignite my listless spirit or jump start my deadened heart, I need only to remember that You, Lord, will once again make Your presence known here on earth, and every pair of eyes will see You, and every knee will bend. The Apostle John, the one who sat at your feet, listening to every word You said, longed desperately to see You again. To live apart from You must have been hell for him, for how could anyone who has been in Your presence want to be anywhere else?
Prayer for me
Lord, Your creation astounds me. I love being a part of it. Cotton balls growing on brown stems. Amazing! A baby’s first tooth poking through pink gums. Delightful! I can’t get enough! However, my physical world with all of its joys and discoveries and memories can be a powerful distraction from anticipating Your return. During my most joyously fulfilling moments, I would prefer You stay in Your heaven. And then during my most dreadfully soul-shattering moments, I pray for Your return. You must think me a little child. Grow me, Lord, to always desire to see the day You come back.
Forgive me
Forgive me my tight grasp on what is physical. You have blessed me with a life of abundance, and I, at times, allow what I see to cloud what is most important – what I can’t see.
More praise
I praise You for living within me because as long as Your Spirit abides in me, I will never lose that soul-sustaining hope of Your return. Knowing I will see You again gives purpose to my life…and my death. Come, Lord Jesus!
Just then someone came up and asked Him, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?” “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” He said to him. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he asked Him. Jesus answered: “Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.” “I have kept all these,” the young man told Him. “What do I still lack?” “If you want to be perfect,” Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard that command, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. Matthew 19:16-22
My words…
Praise
Lord, I praise You that You are the God who interferes. You say, “Do it my way. Here let me show you.” The wealthy young man felt You stepped over the line. You asked him to do something outside his ability – so he thought. I rejoice that You step in the way and say, “I love you too much to sit idly by and withhold instruction, warning, encouragement.” You do not ask of me something beyond my ability. You hold high expectations of me. You do not lower the bar. You teach that striving for perfection, wholeness, completeness is attainable, and You tell me how. I don’t have to guess or figure it out on my own.
Prayer for me
Your word compels me to live differently from my natural inclination. Left to my own compulsion, I would hit back instead of turning my other cheek. I would hoard my possessions instead of sharing. I would never give up my place in line for anyone. Keep drawing me back to Your word. Interfere with my life! It’s the only way I will grow in wisdom, and it’s the only way to know You better.
Prayer for others
So many people hold to a belief in a god that C. S. Lewis calls a “Life-Force.” It’s a very easy god to claim, for this god has no morals, no mind, and won’t interfere. Lewis said, “This Life-Force is a sort of tame God. You can switch it on when you want, but it will not bother you. All the thrills of religion and none of the cost. Is the Life-Force the greatest achievement of wishful thinking the world has yet seen?” I know so many people who claim to believe in this god – the god who expects nothing of its believers, the god who is controlled by a switch. Reveal to them, Lord, the truth, and rend their curtain of wishful thinking.
More praise
When my life grows complicated, and I am faced with many choices, I look to You and say, “Please just tell me what to do.” Why would I refrain from turning to the One who knows all, the creator of wisdom? I call You the God who interferes because it’s Your interference that saves me. I thank You and I praise You for being an interfering Father.
