One of my favorite quotes comes from Pope John Paul II (via my dear friend Rachel):

“Do not abandon yourself to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”

As a Christian, I can tell you that my faith is set on the events that we celebrate on Easter. Christ’s work on the cross, which justified mankind before God and secured us eternal salvation, brings me hope, joy, and abundant life. Jesus’ death and resurrection make us whole; it makes us the Easter people.

The week leading up to Easter is called Holy Week, a week where we recognize our sinfulness in light of God’s holiness, mourn the depths of our iniquities, and remember the final days of Jesus’ earthly life leading up to His crucifixion and resurrection.

My church is offering Holy Week services every day this week, and I thought it’d be cool to share a little of what we’re learning with you. That being said, Monday got the best of me, and I didn’t get around to posting yesterday’s Holy Week post, so today I give you two simple devotions that comprise of one prayer, a Scripture passage, and a hymn.

Holy Week, Day 1:

Prayer: Alrighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy, but first suffered pain, and entered not into glory before He was crucified; mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace through the same, Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Scripture: Lamentations 1:1-3, 16

Hymn: “What Wondrous Love Is This”

Holy Week, Day 2:

Prayer: O Lord God, whose blessed Son, our Savior, gave His back to the smiters and hid not His face from shame; grant us grace to take joyful the sufferings of the present time, in full assurance of the glory that shall be revealed; through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Scripture: Lamentations 2:8-13

Hymn: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”

KAT
Currently listening to “Jesus The Lord My Savior Is” by Sandra McCracken