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Written by  Keith Haney for “THE LIGHT BREAKS THROUGH” @ https://alightbreaksthrough.org

Original post @ https://alightbreaksthrough.org/a-prayer-for-easter-sunday/

A Prayer for Easter Sunday

ByKeith Haney

MAR 29, 2021

Dear Heavenly Father,

This is the week we have waited well over a year to celebrate in person. We look forward to being in Your house this Easter. But for many, this year will be hard. There are many distinct faces in the church that reflect some faces there the first Easter. You have many who approach East like the Apostle John.

John races Peter to the tomb and beats him there because he is younger. When the beloved disciple got to the tomb he did not go in, he just looked, and he saw the linen cloth depressed down like a cocoon emptied. He saw the headpiece here, and he reflected on that. And he believes the message that Christ is Risen! It fills him with joy. He approaches this Easter with unbridled joy and unwavering faith.

But you will have the Peters in Your house this Sunday, the doubters. Simon Peter runs to the tomb, but unlike John, he needs to take a much longer peek into Jesus’ last resting place. Peter walks in. He takes a good hard look at the evidence and comes away even more confused. He did not believe. We need to give Peter a break here. He is facing a ton of doubt. He struggled to accept the power of the resurrection.

To be clear, Peter heard the same promise of the resurrection of Jesus. Like the beloved disciple John, he examined the same evidence. Peter came away with a strange emotion. He came away joyless. Maybe you can relate to what Peter is experiencing. Peter maybe you. You know you shouldn’t have doubts, but you do. For other believers you know, faith seems to come quickly to them. Not so for you. For you, faith is a struggle. You are bombarded with far too many questions. Faith just doesn’t seem logical to you. You look at the resurrection and while others react with shouts of Christ is Risen you are thinking in the back of your mind, but did he?

And finally, you will have a lot of Mary’s in your church on Sunday. For many, you are seeing Easter through the eyes of grief. And not just any grief, faith blinding grief.  The pandemic has cost you more than months of isolation.  Far more than lost birthdays, July 4th celebrations, it has cost you loved ones.  This past year has cost you employment, relationships. The grief is so thick you can’t see the Savior standing in front of your face. You know alleluias should be shouted from your lips, but you can’t form the words.

Easter shouts to the very ends of the earth that Jesus is raised from the dead.  This compassionate Savior comes back with his scarred arms reaching out to Peter, to Mary, and all of us who are struggling with doubt.  The Savior comes back to all of us blinded by grief and loss.  And he brings a simple yet powerful message of forgiveness and restoration. You are not alone, you will never be alone again.  For I am with you.  My rod and my staff comfort you.  And I will be with you always, even to the end of the age. In the name of the Resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT are you “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

Picture credit:  https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk0002ugtfnHvhTuamwRVALiw5xx5eg:1617243524818&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=image+He+is+risen+Bible&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiGlL_O_dvvAhVQZc0KHQ5XAfQQjJkEegQIAxAB&biw=1115&bih=501#imgrc=xOMJE-kGdWJQlM