5 Prayers and Verses to Prepare Your Heart for Easter
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In a college course about serving in children’s ministry, I remember the professor describing the dangers of a child constantly hearing the gospel. “They can become inoculated to the good news of Jesus Christ,” she told the class. Like receiving a vaccine, which exposes us to a virus so our body can build immunity against a disease, a child who grows accustomed to hearing about Jesus may become immune to presentations of the gospel. It just becomes another part of reality to them––but not in a way that is life-changing.
The same danger applies to adults and, in a different way, to believers. We may be so familiar with the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection, have celebrated Easter for numerous years, that it starts to become overly familiar to the point of being unimpactful. Sure, we wave our palm branches on Palm Sunday, attend the Good Friday sermon, and even hold a vigil until the high and holy day of Easter, but there is the risk that our hearts become cold to the events.
Faith is not about feelings. However, there is an element in which we benefit from keeping wonder alive. We are called, after all, to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). And love inevitably involves emotion, even if feelings are not the sum of true, biblical love.
So, where can we start when Lent and Easter seem to be merely other activities in our schedules?
Prayer.
For prayer has a way of transforming our hearts as we align ourselves with the Lord’s will. The following five prayers and verses are a great place to spark a reawakened desire to grow in Christ and reflect on His salvation with a fresh perspective. May they stir within us the wonder of beholding the risen Christ and spur us on to greater love for Him.
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1. A Prayer to Recognize the Weight of Sin in Our Lives and the World
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).
Lord, there is so much darkness in the world. I see it in the tragedies that fill the news, in the experiences of those around me, and within myself. During this time of Lent, as I have been preparing for the celebration of Your resurrection, I have been contemplating humanity’s great need for You, O God. We stained ourselves and lost our innocence when we disobeyed You in the garden, where You had intended for us to live in perfect fellowship with You. And throughout time, we have turned away from You, choosing to live in rebellion and shadow.
We could never save ourselves, Lord. The stain is too permanent, and try as we might, it can never be washed away by our own efforts.
As Easter approaches, help me see with fresh perspective the weight of sin in my life and the world. Let me see and mourn the brokenness so that I can stand in even greater awe at the salvation You died to give. Though darkness is what surrounds me now, I know that You have overcome. You were raised; therefore, I will live even though I die. Because You live, there is the promise that all things will be made new – the earth will be renewed, and all creation will be set free from bondage to sin. How I long for that day! Increase the anticipation in me for my eternal home so that I may live more faithfully.
In Your name, Christ, I pray.
Amen.
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2. A Prayer to Reflect on Our Former Separation from God and How the Son Has Brought Us Near
“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:50-51).
The temple in the Old Testament provided symbolism to display Your holiness, O God, and the human inability to approach Your presence without a sacrifice and mediator. And even at that, Lord, the High Priest could only enter Your presence once a year with great preparation. The curtain in front of the Holy of Holies reminded the people that there was a barrier between them and You, one that was fixed and could not be crossed except under penalty of death.
Yet that is why You sent Your one and only Son into the world – to wash us clean of our sins and to bridge the gap between Your holiness and the sinfulness of humankind. Because of Jesus, the temple curtain was torn in two. Turn my thoughts to this truth whenever I feel as if You are far away from me, Lord. For You have brought me near to You by the precious blood of Christ.
I pray for a greater desire to spend time with You this season. Everything in the Christian life centers on this close relationship that was made through Jesus’ death, and He said that eternal life is knowing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (John 17:3). That is a gift I can walk in today as I enjoy communion with You. Thank You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for making Your home within me, so that although I was once separated, I am now near You as a beloved child.
Amen.
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3. A Prayer of Praise to the Spotless Lamb of God
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
Savior, Your servant, John the Baptist, was right when He prophetically called You the Lamb of God. The innocent Son of God, without blemish or stain, who was slain for the sake of the world. Like the Passover lamb that the Israelites slaughtered to smear the blood on the doorframes of the houses so that the destroying angel would pass over them, so You too died to cover us with Your blood.
On a different Passover, You were hung on a cross and after You died, none of Your bones were broken. O Lamb of God, help me to remember well the blood You shed for the sake of all – the blood that purifies me from sin.
But not only are You the slain Lamb who appears in the middle of the throne room of heaven, You are the Lamb who overcame and are alive forever. I want to add my voice to the praises of heaven: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12).
In Your great name, Jesus, I pray.
Amen.
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4. A Prayer to Remember the Foundation of Our Faith
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:17-20).
As Easter approaches, may I return to the basis of my faith, Lord. Far too easily I can get wrapped up in the details of following You; I lose sight of the foundation of what gave me new life and purpose. Great Savior, I pray alongside the Apostle Paul that I may know You and the power of Your resurrection (Philippians 3:10). My faith is built upon the unshakeable truth that You died for me on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day. I serve a living Savior, who is alive forevermore.
I, and countless others throughout time, would be without hope if You had not risen from the dead. It is not merely for this life that we hope and trust in You, Lord Jesus, as if You are only a feel-good God who makes promises but does not deliver. No, You are the living Lord and because of that, believers have a living hope. You died, but You are alive forevermore, victorious over sin and death.
Because of You, I have the assurance that the loved ones I have lost who trusted in You are in heaven and will one day be raised from the grave. For You are the firstfruits of the resurrection; because You live, I will live. I long for that day when You will return and transform my decaying body into one that will no longer perish.
Until then, guide my thoughts back to You, risen Savior. I do not want to forget the most important aspect of my faith in the details of everyday life. Help me this Easter to immerse myself in worship and communion with You so that I am reminded of where my hope truly comes from: Your resurrection.
In Your name, I pray.
Amen.
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5. A Prayer of Honor to the Risen Savior
“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).
Lord, the world is awakening with new growth in this season. I see the young tendrils of fresh plants and leaves, of flowers ready to bloom. All these areas of growth provide a picture of new life, which leads me to thoughts about spring and warmth. Use these natural images as reminders of the new creation I am in You, since I have been born again by the washing and renewal of the Holy Spirit. The life I have now is only possible because You died for me, and Your resurrection is a steady reality that assures me of the promise of eternity.
How great You are, Savior, to love us while we were yet sinners. Even now, as children of God, You love and sustain us, keeping us secure until the day all things are made new. You are my good Shepherd, who loses none of those You died to save. May I be a fruitful follower, whose life is solidly drawn from You, and which produces a great crop for Your glory.
Amen.
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