Sunday: Power – He Is Risen!
Read: Mark 16:1-8
Prayer: Father, thank you for the resurrection – your seal of approval for the sacrifice Jesus made. Thank you for the joy and wonder of a new life with my risen Savior. Thank you for the hope of my own resurrection when Jesus returns. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: Why is each sentence in this prayer a reason to rejoice? How can you express your joy today?
Praise: Sing “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today”
Saturday: Pain of Loss and Failure – Struggling Without Hope
Read: Mark 14:26-31, 14:66-72, 15:40-47
Prayer: Father, I cannot imagine this day for Peter. What was it like for him to lose Jesus and fail him all in one day? To struggle without hope? And Father, if Jesus had remained in the grave, I too would be without hope. All would be lost. Help me today to remember how hopeless life would be without the glorious news that tomorrow brings. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: What would your life be like if Jesus had stayed in the grave?
Praise: No singing today. Wait with anticipation for tomorrow.
Friday Evening: Passion – Remember the Cross
Read: Mark 15:16-39
Prayer: Father, they hit him, and spit upon him, and mocked him. They nailed him to a cross, and mocked him some more. He bore my sins, and your wrath for my sins, that I might go free. My words are so cheap, but thank you for the cross. Thank you for forgiveness. Thank you for Jesus. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: How does reflecting on Christ’s passion fuel your love for him? How will you respond to his sacrifice?
Praise: Sing “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross”
Friday Morning: Plot – The Plans of God and Men
Read: Mark 14:1-2, 14:10-11, 14:43-65, 15:1-15
Prayer: Father, how shamefully they treated your Son. Judas plotted against him and betrayed his friend. The religious leaders plotted against him and made a mockery of justice to have their own way. Pilate gave in to the crowds. And yet all their plots were part of your bigger plot to save me. Thank you for my Savior. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: In what current situations do you need to trust in God’s greater plan? How does it help to know God has a plan?
Praise: Sing “All The Way My Savior Leads Me”
Thursday Evening: Prayer – God’s Will, Not Mine
Read: Mark 14:32-42
Prayer: Father, like the disciples I too am weak, and I need your help to overcome temptation. Awaken me from my spiritual slumber that I might pray. Let me join my Savior in seeking your will. Too often my way is not your way. Help me to submit to your way no matter what the cost. Dear Father, not my will, but yours be done. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: In what current temptation or situation do you need to submit to his will?
Praise: Sing “Have Thine Own Way Lord”
Thursday Morning: Passover – The New Covenant
Read: Mark 14:12-25
Prayer: Father, thank you for the new covenant you have made with me through Jesus Christ. Thank you that his body was broken and his blood poured out to pay for my sins that I might walk with you. Thank you for the regular reminder given to us in the Lord’s Supper. Let me never spurn your gift as Judas did. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: Jesus died so you might have a relationship with God. In what ways should you respond to his gift?
Praise: Sing “I Am Thine, O Lord”
Wednesday: Prophecy – Be Alert
Read: Mark 13:1-37
Prayer: Father, your Son predicted the Fall of Jerusalem, and it happened. Your Son predicted his return – help me to be ready. Help me to be alert. While I wait, help me to be ready and watchful for opportunities to bear witness for Christ. Help me not to get so weighed down with the cares of this life that I fail to be alert to your opportunities and your return. Even so, come Lord Jesus! Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: What keeps us from being more alert to his coming?
Praise: Sing “Christ Returneth!”
Tuesday: Priority – Love God and People
Read: Mark 12:28-34, 14:3-9
Prayer: Father, help me to love you with all of my life. Help me to love you with my wealth, even offering extravagant gifts to you, like this woman did, out of love for you. Help me to love you with my desires and my thoughts and my actions. Help me to love the people you place in my life, sacrificing myself for them. Help me to treat others with patience, kindness, and gentleness. Help me to get over myself and love as Jesus loves me.
Reflect/Discuss: How do you need to get over yourself? How can you express your love for God today? Another person in your life?
Praise: Sing “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
Monday: Possessions – Give all to Him
Read: Mark 11:15-19, 12:13-17, 12:41-44
Prayer: Father, they dragged buying and selling even into your house. How easy it is for me to get caught up in the buying and selling of our culture. Help me be like the widow who willingly gave all to you. All that I have is from you; it is yours – do with it as you please. Even my life is from you, and you made me in your likeness, so help me give myself to you – even as your Son gave himself for me. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: What would it look like to live according to this prayer?
Praise: Sing “Take My Life”
Palm Sunday: Praise – Rejoice in the Messiah
Read: Mark 11:1-10
Prayer: Father, let me join the crowds and lift up my voice in praise to you. Thank you for the coming kingdom – the great hope of a new heaven and earth where we will dwell in peace without suffering in the presence of our King. Thank you for so many salvation blessings of which the crowds were completely unaware. Awaken my soul to give you the glory and praise that is due you today. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: For what salvation blessings can you praise the Lord today?
Praise: Sing some of your favorite songs of praise to the Lord.
Brian J. Mikul 