Week of April 25

Almighty and eternal God, on the edge of sadness, when all seemed lost, You restored to us the Savior we thought defeated and conquered. Help us, we beg You, so to empty ourselves of self concern, that we might see Your hand in every failure, and Your victory in every defeat. Give us the courage and dedication to sacrifice and suffer with those who are in need, the least of Your people. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus, our Redeemer. Amen.

"Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed."

(Matthew 27:57-60, NKJV)

Week of April 18

My beloved Lord and Savior, You have told us that we, too, must accept crucifixion if we are to accept resurrection with You. Help us to rejoice in the sufferings that come with the fulfillment of our daily duties, seeing in them the royal road of the cross to resurrection. Amen.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

-Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

Week of April 11

Lord Jesus Christ, stripped of everything, You stood exposed to jeers and contempt of the people whom You loved. Clothe us with genuine love of others, so that nothing we suffer may ever fill our hearts with hatred or bitterness. Amen.

“They gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink. And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots.”

Matthew 27: 34-35 (NASB)

Week of April 4

Lord, Jesus Christ, You stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross, that everyone might come within the reach of Your saving embrace. So clothe us in Your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring to those who do not know You, the knowledge and love of You, for the honor of Your holy name. Amen.

"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit."

-John 19:30 (NKJV)