PRAYER POINTS:
Palm Sunday:
Reading: Matthew 21:1-17; Psalm 118:19-29; Zechariah 9:9
This is the day of visitation! This is the day when Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey’s colt and fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy. It is also a day when we can affirm that He is our King.
- Pray that God would help us to lay down our “cloaks”—our pride, status, and self-will to make room for Christ to enter our lives.
- Pray that during this season, many will cry out “Hosanna!” desiring the salvation that only comes through Jesus Christ.
- Pray that believers everywhere truly enthrone Christ as King of their hearts.
Monday:
Reading: Mark 11:12-19; Isaiah 56:7
On Monday, Jesus cursed a fig tree that had leaves but no fruit. He then revealed His authority by cleansing the temple, overturning the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
It is possible for our life to appear religious on the outside and yet lack spiritual substance on the inside. God wants us to bring forth good fruit. He also wants to remove anything in our life that would hinder us from worshiping Him.
It is possible for our life to appear religious on the outside and yet lack spiritual substance on the inside. God wants us to bring forth good fruit. He also wants to remove anything in our life that would hinder us from worshiping Him.
- Pray that God would deliver us from the hypocrisy of appearing righteous on the outside while our hearts are far from God.
- Pray that the Lord would examine our “temple” and overturn anything that hinders our pure worship of Him.
- Pray that our church would be a house of worship and prayer for the nations and that God would use us to bring many souls into His kingdom.
Tuesday:
Reading: Matthew 21:20-25:46
Tuesday was the busiest day of the week for Jesus. It is called the “Day of Controversy” because it was the most intense day of public teaching and debate in His ministry. Major events include the withering of the fig tree, challenges to Jesus’ authority, the great debates with the religious leaders, seven woes against the Pharisees, and the end times discourse on the Mount of Olives.
Jesus described the things that will happen in the world shortly before His return. He did this so that when they occur, we will believe. He warns us about these things so that we will always be watchful and ready. He challenges us to keep our spiritual flame burning brightly and to be faithful managers of what He has entrusted to us.
Jesus described the things that will happen in the world shortly before His return. He did this so that when they occur, we will believe. He warns us about these things so that we will always be watchful and ready. He challenges us to keep our spiritual flame burning brightly and to be faithful managers of what He has entrusted to us.
- Pray that God would help us all to be watchful and ready and to keep our lamps burning brightly as we anticipate Christ’s return. (Matthew 25:1-13)
- Pray that we would be good and faithful servants wisely and diligently investing the “talents” he has given us. (Matthew 25:14-30)
- Pray that God would open our eyes to see “the least of these” who are hurting and help us reach them through acts of mercy and compassion. (Matthew 25:31-46)
Wednesday:
Reading: Matthew 26:1-16
After Tuesday’s intense activity and public confrontations, Wednesday is quiet and shifts toward the shadows. The religious leaders conspire how they might take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. Judas goes to the chief priests and agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Matthew contrasts the treachery of Judas with the loyalty of Mary, even though John tells us that Mary anointed Jesus six days before Passover (the previous Saturday).
- Pray for protection from the plots of evil people and from spiritual attacks.
- Pray that Christians everywhere would be extravagant in their love for Jesus, even when others do not agree or understand.
- Pray that believers would keep themselves from the love of money and from outwardly following Jesus while inwardly pleasing the flesh.
Thursday:
Reading: Matthew 26:17-56
Thursday of Holy Week marks the transition from Jesus’ public ministry to his private conference with His disciples and to His suffering. Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare for Passover. During the meal, Jesus announces His betrayer. He institutes the Lord’s Supper and gives them a long discourse in the upper room. He tells them about their need to abide in Him and about the Holy Spirit who is coming. Later that night, Jesus is arrested in Gethsemane.
- Pray that the hearts of many people would be opened to receive the new covenant through the body and blood of Jesus.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11). Pray that He would guide believers into all truth (John 16:13).
- Pray that believers everywhere would stay awake, watch with Jesus, and pray so that we do not fall into temptation.
Good Friday:
Reading: Matthew 26:57-27:61
Beginning around midnight, Jesus was first tried by Annas and then by Caiaphas. Peter denied Him three times. The Jews handed Him over to Pilate who had Him scourged and crucified. From noon to 3:00 PM, darkness was over all the land. Finally, Jesus cried with a loud voice and yielded up His Spirit. At the same moment, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. Then he and Nicodemus wrapped the body in linen cloths and spices and buried it in Joseph’s tomb.
- Jesus was silent before His accusers. He entrusted Himself to the LORD who judges righteously. Pray that when we are falsely or wrongfully accused that we would not lash out but let God be our defense (1 Peter 2:21-23).
- Isaiah tells us that by His stripes we are healed, speaking of Jesus’ flogging (Isaiah 53:5). Thank God that we receive our ultimate healing through Christ’s wounds and thank Jesus that He willingly suffered in our place.
- Pray that the eyes of the spiritually blind will be opened to see the light of God’s glorious salvation and love demonstrated through the death of Christ on the cross.
Saturday:
Reading: Matthew 27:62-66; Luke 23:56; Ephesians 4:8–10
Saturday was the Sabbath, the day of rest, and the body of Jesus rested in the tomb. For the disciples, it was a day of mourning, as their hope was lost. But their hope was only lost to unbelief, for if they had believed what Jesus said they would have been hopeful for the third day! The religious leaders believed what Jesus said and asked Pilate to seal the tomb and post a guard. Meanwhile, Jesus descended to Hades to preach to the souls there and to liberate the righteous ones who looked forward to their redemption.
- Pray that we would learn to accept times of rest and times of mourning. Even during days of inactivity and darkness, God is working to redeem His people.
- Rejoice that even when the enemy tries to suppress the truth and steal our hope of new life, Jesus always breaks through victoriously!
- Pray that many souls will come out of their hellish prison of sin and death and experience freedom and resurrection life on Sunday morning!