It’s Easter Monday and we’ve entered into a time of celebrating the amazing reality that Jesus, who died for our sins, has been resurrected and hear horrible stories and statistics of death from the covid-19 virus. In the misery and horror of death, actual death, projected death, and mass graves we look for hope. Where do we find it?
The wonderful truth of today is that Jesus’ resurrection assures us that we can have life forever with God. Because he lives, we too can live.
And so we hold onto hope and, because that’s not an easy task in the face of death, we ask God to help us hold onto hope. A man came to Jesus seeking healing for his son and he said to Jesus: If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. “If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22-24)
I love this very real story and this very real assertion by this man in the face of Jesus’ affirmation that with Him everything is possible. How else can we come to God today but like this man, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” The wonderful truth is that God receives us in just this way and responds to our hearts as we open them to Him. Let’s pray together:
Heavenly father, we come to you today on this Easter Monday, a time to celebrate life, resurrection life but a time where we face deaths and increasing numbers of deaths every day during this time of the COVID-19 virus crisis.
We pray that you who are the Lord of life would come close to us and stop this wave of death. Together we continue to ask you to stop the spread of this virus. We continue to ask you to raise up those who are sick and to restore them to full health. We pray today together that you and your mercy would restore individuals to families and families to their communities. Have mercy on us our heavenly father during this time of death and destruction.
On this day of contrasts when we don’t quite know what to do with the amazing reality that Jesus is alive after he died and was buried and then he was raised to life on the third day according to the Scriptures - And at the same time facing the sorrow and suffering and death of so many around us.
We pray for peace for those who are dying without loved ones near them. We pray for comfort for those who mourn. We pray for
courage and strength for those doctors who have to pronounce so many individuals dead, for those who transport so many dead bodies, for those who have to inter so many in mass graves. Have mercy on us, most merciful God. Stay this virus. Bring life out of death and light in these dark times.
Today we also want to give thanks for the hope that we have for life even beyond the grave. Jesus your life confirms for us that whether we live or die in this time of pandemic, we will be raised to new life with you forever when we place our faith and trust in you. The resurrection of Jesus is our assurance that everything that tries to come between your love and us has to go. The resurrection of Jesus reminds us that death is destroyed and every other enemy suffering and sin and brokenness is also destroyed too. We know that we won’t see the fulness of this until Jesus comes again but we want to hold onto that hope today when all of our attention and the world’s seems to be focused on death - how many have died, how many are near to death, which country has the most deaths, the number of potential deaths modelling forecasts.
Lord it is true that without you, if there was no hope of the resurrection, we would have no hope but we thank you that today we have hope because you are alive and you promise us life.
Once again we surrender ourselves into your care. Our days are in Your hands. We need you today. We surrender ourselves to you.
In the words of St Ignatius’ Prayer of Surrender we say:
Take all, Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole well. All that I am and all that I possess you have given me. I surrender it all to you to be disposed of according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace. With these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more. Amen
The wonderful truth of today is that Jesus’ resurrection assures us that we can have life forever with God. Because he lives, we too can live.
And so we hold onto hope and, because that’s not an easy task in the face of death, we ask God to help us hold onto hope. A man came to Jesus seeking healing for his son and he said to Jesus: If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. “If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22-24)
I love this very real story and this very real assertion by this man in the face of Jesus’ affirmation that with Him everything is possible. How else can we come to God today but like this man, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” The wonderful truth is that God receives us in just this way and responds to our hearts as we open them to Him. Let’s pray together:Heavenly father, we come to you today on this Easter Monday, a time to celebrate life, resurrection life but a time where we face deaths and increasing numbers of deaths every day during this time of the COVID-19 virus crisis.
On this day of contrasts when we don’t quite know what to do with the amazing reality that Jesus is alive after he died and was buried and then he was raised to life on the third day according to the Scriptures - And at the same time facing the sorrow and suffering and death of so many around us.
We pray for peace for those who are dying without loved ones near them. We pray for comfort for those who mourn. We pray for
Today we also want to give thanks for the hope that we have for life even beyond the grave. Jesus your life confirms for us that whether we live or die in this time of pandemic, we will be raised to new life with you forever when we place our faith and trust in you. The resurrection of Jesus is our assurance that everything that tries to come between your love and us has to go. The resurrection of Jesus reminds us that death is destroyed and every other enemy suffering and sin and brokenness is also destroyed too. We know that we won’t see the fulness of this until Jesus comes again but we want to hold onto that hope today when all of our attention and the world’s seems to be focused on death - how many have died, how many are near to death, which country has the most deaths, the number of potential deaths modelling forecasts.
Lord it is true that without you, if there was no hope of the resurrection, we would have no hope but we thank you that today we have hope because you are alive and you promise us life.
Once again we surrender ourselves into your care. Our days are in Your hands. We need you today. We surrender ourselves to you.
In the words of St Ignatius’ Prayer of Surrender we say:
Take all, Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole well. All that I am and all that I possess you have given me. I surrender it all to you to be disposed of according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace. With these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more. Amen
Recent Hope For Today
Giving Hope
Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.