“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34a (ESV)

What Jesus spoke that day on the cross is for us today. We’ve been offered forgiveness and cleansing. If we confess our sins, agreeing with what he says about who we are and what we’ve done, he has promised to forgive and cleanse us.

● Start by asking God to reveal any unconfessed sin or rebellion. Confess, call it by name, admit that you were wrong, and repent.

● Ask God to help you live in complete surrender and obedience to him.

● Pray that God would make you aware of those around you who have not received forgiveness in Jesus. Pray for boldness in sharing and inviting them to hear the gospel this Easter.

● Ask God, through the preaching of the Word and by the power of his Spirit, to bring conviction of sin and release from bondage.

● Pray that we would see many, including our own family and friends, come this Easter to hear and believe the offer of forgiveness and cleansing in Jesus.

“Today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43b

If there were ever proof that salvation is by grace through faith and not by works, this is it. Jesus offers salvation and eternal life to the worst of sinners, regardless of what they have done.

● Praise God today and thank him for so great a salvation, that death has lost its sting and that we have eternal life through faith in Jesus.

● Ask God to help you cultivate eternal hope, as you set your mind and heart on things above and not on earthly things.

● Pray that you would always be aware of eternity and that you would joyfully and sacrificially live with Christ’s return in mind.

● Today, pray for specific people in your life who have yet to trust in Jesus. Ask God to cause them to see and know, believe and confess that Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

● Pray that your brothers and sisters in Christ would live with confidence and joy, knowing they are forgiven.

● Ask God to give us patience and endurance as we wait for Jesus’ return.

“Woman, behold, your son!” John 19:26b

Even in the midst of his own agony, Jesus was mindful of the pain of others. His own pain didn’t keep him from noticing and even making provision for his mother. He sees your pain today and he cares.

● Cast all your anxiety on him. Tell him what troubles you. Believe that he cares for you in everything you face.

● Ask God to supply whatever it is that you need today.

● Ask God to open your eyes to those who are hurting and around you. Pray that by his Spirit, he would show you how to care for them.

● Ask God to lead us, as a church, to protect, advocate, and care for the hurting around us.

● Pray that God would make us a church family who cares well for one another and for our community.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Mark 15:34b

Because Jesus bore our sins, because he became sin for us, he was cut off from the presence of God. He endured the agony of separation from the Father so that we wouldn’t have to be excluded from his presence. It was the will of the Father that Jesus bear the penalty for our sin so that we could be made righteous by faith in him.

● Rejoice in this glorious truth: He was forsaken so that you never have to be!

● Ask God to keep you from fear and make you aware of his presence even in difficulty and hardship.

● Pray that those who feel forsaken would come to know the acceptance of the One who loves them.

● Ask God to lead you in sharing the good news with your family and friends that God has come to us in Jesus.

● Pray that many would respond to the invitation to come and hear the gospel this Easter.

● Pray that we would all experience that presence of God as we worship together.

John 19:28 indicates that Jesus said this so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, specifically Psalm 69:21, which says, “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” (NIV) All along the way, God foretold his plan for our salvation through Jesus and then fulfilled it according to the Scriptures.

● Give thanks for the testimony of Scripture, where we see the thread of God’s redemption story from Genesis to Revelation.

● Praise God that all his promises are “Yes” and “Amen” in Jesus (2 Cor. 1:20)

● Ask God to make us a people who know and believe the Word of God. Ask God to give insight and wisdom to those who teach our kids and students.

● Pray that God would speak powerfully through the preached Word at Kingsway.

● Pray specifically for Rich and the message he will preach on Easter Sunday. Pray for clarity and conviction.

● Ask God to awaken those who hear the Word of God declared this Easter.

“It is finished.” John 19:30

● Thank God for Jesus’ finished work. Praise him for the victory won by Jesus’ humble submission and obedience unto death.

● Ask God to give you clarity about what he has called you to do. Pray for a steadfast commitment to live out that calling – to go where he calls you to go and to do what he calls you to do.

● Pray that Kingsway would faithfully commit ourselves to the work God has given us to be witnesses in Omaha and around the world.

● Pray that we would be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord, our labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58)

● Ask God to use us to raise up the next generation to be devoted disciples of Christ.

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Luke 23:46

Just as he had prayed throughout his life and ministry, Jesus now cries out again to his Father. Having declared victory, Jesus now speaks a word of surrender, entrusting himself to the One who loves him. Even in death, he knows he can trust the Father.

● As we celebrate the Resurrection today, ask God to fill you with joyful hope and eager expectation as you surrender to him.

● Pray that God would help us set our hopes on his purposes and plan for us.

● Pray today, Easter Sunday, that those who come to our Easter service would respond in joyful surrender to God and his offer of eternal life.

● Ask God to give faith and courage to respond to the call to be saved.

● Pray that those who submit their lives to Christ today would commit to being disciple-making disciples for the rest of their lives.