by Randy Harp
As a senior pastor, I always wrestled with the tension of how to approach Easter. There is no doubt Easter Sunday is the “Super Bowl” for American churches. For most churches, mine included, Easter Sunday was the largest, or at least one of the largest, attended Sunday of the year. We did all we could to equip our members with tools to promote attendance on this day. We spent extra time preparing all aspects of the service. We always anticipated God showing up and lives being saved. My personal drive toward evangelism made this Sunday all the more important to me.
The other side of the tension is the personal reflection for the believer on what should be the most solemn of days followed by the most celebratory of days. I wrestled with how to help Christians grow in their relationships with their Savior during the Easter season.
A key for both sides of the tension is prayer. It is vitally important to pray extensively for the worship service and all events included around Easter Sunday. But there also needs to be prayer for oneself — to allow the Holy Spirit to examine one’s heart and to plead with the Father to renew a steadfast spirit within.
Use this prayer guide building up to Easter Sunday. Use it to pray for Easter Sunday services and as a way to help you search deep within so you are prepared for Easter Sunday.
PRAYING FOR YOUR CHURCH
- Write down the names of five people you will pray for and will invite to church on Easter Sunday.
- Pray for each service held at your church. (If possible, visit your church during the week and walk through the worship center praying over specific seats.)
- Pray there will be more visitors than members attend.
- Pray lives will be saved, rededicated, and changed.
- Pray marriages will be saved and families will be restored.
- Pray for the pastor as he prepares and communicates God’s Word.
- Pray for volunteers who will be serving, some for the very first time.
- Pray for those serving in the children’s ministry, that they would clearly communicate Easter is about Christ, nothing more.
- Pray the worship team would “disappear” on stage and lead the congregation to totally focus on the One being worshipped.
- Pray for the technology (sound system, computers, etc.) and those controlling it.
- Pray for an effective follow-up the days and weeks after Easter.
PRAYING FOR YOURSELF
Sunday – Triumphal Entry
Lord, there are so many distractions, help me to stay focused on you this week. I want to know more of the width, length, height, and depth of your love (Ephesians 3:18). May this year be different than every year before.
Monday – Cleansing of the Temple
Lord, I want to be pure before you. Search me and reveal to me anything inside that needs to be cleansed (Psalm 139:23).
Tuesday – Last Day of Public Ministry
Lord, you are my teacher. Help me to not only listen but to also obey all you have taught me. Help me to love you more than anything else and help me to love others as myself (Matthew 22:34-40). Help me today to invite someone to church.
Wednesday – A Day of Rest
Lord, help me set aside today as a day of prayer and fasting (Matthew 5:5-18). I seek more than anything to hear from you today. Give me strength as I fast!
Thursday – Betrayal and Arrest
Lord, both your enemies and your friends caused you to suffer. My own sins cause you to suffer (1 John 1:8). Give me determination and courage to follow you in all things, in all circumstances.
Friday – Crucifixion
Lord, all I can say is thank you. I do not deserve what you did for me by taking my place on that cross (1 John 4:10). Help me to never lose sight of your sacrifice, for without it there would be no forgiveness for my sins (Hebrews 10:10).
Saturday – Tomb Sealed
Lord, I know there are those who try to discredit your love and what you did for us. I pray your power would overcome and those who have questions would find answers this Easter (1 Peter 3:15). Help me today to invite others to join me at church tomorrow.
Sunday – Resurrection Day
Lord, we celebrate you today. Jesus conquered the grave, defeated death, and is victorious over the enemy. He is risen and alive! I pray today people would cross over from death to life. I pray many would have victory over the strongholds of our enemy. I pray we would experience the life you have in store for us (John 10:10).