Table of Contents: Questions About Prayer - 4 The Lord s Prayer - 6 Warfare Prayers - 8 Passion Week Prayers - 10 2
Dear Reader, Since starting Life Church in 2010, we have set our hearts to be a people of prayer. When you discover the beauty of daily conversation with God, you ll experience His life-changing presence! Passion Week is the time when we as the body of Christ reflect upon and celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ and its impact on the world. What greater way to commemorate that than to fast and pray with one mind, one voice, and one Spirit. If this is your first time fasting and praying as a corporate body or even if you have done it before, this guide is perfect for you! In it you ll find answers to common (and not so common) questions about prayer, scripture references to build you up in His Word and guidelines for the next two weeks designed to bring more joy into your time with God. Remember: prayer changes EVERYTHING! -Pastor Ernst Cochy 3
Questions about Prayer What is prayer? Simply put, prayer is communicating with God; both speaking and listening to Him. In the Bible, we find the different types of conversations we can have with God: Prayer of Agreement - Matthew 18:19 (NKJV) 19 Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. Prayer of Thanksgiving and Worship - Psalm 100:4 (NKJV) 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Prayer of Supplication - Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God Prayer of Faith - Mark 11:24 (NKJV) 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Prayer of Consecration and Dedication - Luke 22:41-42 (NKJV) 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done. Corporate Prayer - Acts 1:14 (NKJV) 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Prayer of Binding and Loosing (warfare) Matthew 18:18 (NKJV) 18 Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Why do we pray? Firstly, we pray because God commands it. Obedience to God is the foundation of everything we do (or don t do). Secondly, we were created to communicate with Him. He desires for us to talk to Him and for Him to talk to us. Lastly, PRAYER CHANGES EVERY- THING! Think about it, we have the ear of God. He has our ear. Our world and the world around us cannot be the same! 4
How do we pray? 1. Pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. Jesus said, And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be filled (John 16:23 24) 2. Pray the Word of God. Jesus said, If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ( John15:7) God s Word is of utmost importance to Him. The Bible says that it is forever established and that God is watching over His Word to perform it. ( Psalms 119:89; Jeremiah 1:12) So, when you interweave your requests with God s Word it guarantees answers from God. 3. Pray with Thanksgiving. The bible teaches us to come into the presence of God with thankfulness and praise (Ps. 100:4). The Father loves and expects to be acknowledged and appreciated for the things He has done and will do. 4. Pray with Faith. Your faith is what moves your prayers! Jesus assures us in (Mark 11:24) Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Where do we pray? Anywhere! Heaven is always open to us and our heavenly Father is always present and ready to communicate with us. We have unlimited and free roaming access to God. However, it is highly beneficial to have a prayer space. It helps us to establish a habit of prayer in our daily lives. When do we pray? Anytime all the time! Prayer should not be a once daily shot. We see throughout scripture that Jesus prayed often. Although we can pray anytime, we have many biblical examples of the unique blessing when we make praying first thing in our day. 5
THE LORD S PRAYER Jesus gave us an excellent lesson on how to pray to our Heavenly Father: One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray (Luke 11:1). Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever (Matthew 6:9-13). Our Father in heaven... 1. CONNECT WITH GOD RELATIONALLY You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, Abba, Father (Romans 8:15 NLT). God loves for us to call Him our Father. He invites us to establish an intimate relationship with Him and we build on that by communing with him daily. Hallowed be Your Name 2. WORSHIP HIS NAME God s name is a place of protection the righteous can run there and be safe (Proverbs 18:10 MSG). What are His names? Righteousness; He makes me clean. Sanctifier; He has called me and set me apart. Healer; He heals all my diseases. Banner of Victory; He has defeated my enemy. Shepherd; He speaks to me and leads me. Peace; He is my peace in every storm. Provider; He supplies all of my needs. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven 3. PRAY FOR HIS AGENDA FIRST He will always give us all we need from day to day if we will make the Kingdom our primary concern (Luke 12:31 TLB). God s priorities are: Saving the Lost, Guiding those in positions of authority (parental, spiritual, governmental, workplace) His will in us Give us this day our daily bread 4. DEPEND ON HIM FOR EVERYTHING I look up to the mountains does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! (Psalm 121:1-2 NLT). Ask God for what you want and need and then trust Him for the answer. 6
Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors 5. GET OUR HEARTS RIGHT WITH GOD AND PEOPLE If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). We ask God to check our heart and motives. We receive His forgiveness for any area that He brings to mind. And we forgive anyone who has offended us in any way. We can even forgive people in advance! And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one 6. ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). God empowers us to take a stand against the enemy and fight the good fight of faith. Every lie that the enemy has told us should be replaced with the truth of God s Word. For yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever. 7. EXPRESS FAITH IN GOD S ABILITY Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you (Jeremiah 32:17). We should end our prayer time by reminding ourselves of God s ability. Return to praise and make faith declarations. Yours is the Kingdom all rule belongs to You Yours is the Power all mightiness flows from You Yours is the Glory Your victory shall be complete 7
WARFARE PRAYERS Prayer is not only communion with God; it is confrontation with the enemy. Prayer is a fundamental weapon in spiritual warfare. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord s people (Ephesians 6:11-18). THE ARMOR OF GOD (based on Ephesians 6:13-17) Pray: Thank You, Lord, for my salvation. I receive it in a new and fresh way from You and I declare that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ and the place I have in Your kingdom. I wear Your righteousness today against all condemnation and corruption. Cover me with Your holiness and purity defend me from all assaults against my heart and mind. Lord, I put on the belt of truth. I choose a lifestyle of honesty and integrity. Expose the lies that I have believed, and show me the truths I need to receive today. I choose to live for the Gospel in every moment. Show me where You are working and lead me to it. Give me strength to walk with You daily. I believe that You are powerful against every lie and assault of the enemy. You have good in store for me. Nothing is coming today that can overcome me because You are with me. Holy Spirit, show me the truths of the Word of God that I will need to counter the traps of the enemy. Bring those Scriptures to mind today. Finally, Holy Spirit, I agree to walk in step with You in everything as my spirit communes with You in prayer throughout the day. In Jesus name, amen! THE WEAPONS OF WARFARE (based on 2 Corinthians 10:4-5) Pray: Father, Your Word says that no weapon formed against me shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Therefore I declare that no weapon formed against me prospers this day or any day to come in Jesus name. Your Word says that trouble will not arise a second time (Nahum 1:9). Therefore I declare that Satan cannot make trouble for me again, in this manner, as he did in the past in Jesus name. I declare that all of these prayers are accomplished and already brought to pass through faith and expectation in the name of Jesus. Lord Jesus, I confess to You all of my sins this day, yesterday and every day past. I repent and renounce them, those known and unknown, those of omission and commission, in what I 8
have done and in what I have failed to do. I lay them all down at Your feet, all of the sins of the flesh, the tongue, and of the heart, and all unholy thoughts and actions. Thank You, Lord, for shedding Your precious blood for me. I stand on Your Word. The enemy is driven out from before me, above me, around me, and below me; from my home, workplace, church and its ministries, children, and my loved ones; from my works and labors, land, and my presence. I declare that he is not able to stand against me, and his works are taken captive and destroyed. No weapon formed against me will prosper, for the Spirit of the Lord shall raise a standard against them. I declare all of these things accomplished by Your Word. Jesus, my Lord, I give You thanksgiving, praise, glory, honor and worship for Your righteousness and holiness given to me by Your Word on my behalf. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen! 9
Passion Week Prayers: Sunday April 9 th, 2017 - PALM SUNDAY Scripture Reflections of palm sunday Matthew 21: 1-9 (NKJV) 1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, The Lord has need of them, and immediately he will send them. 4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 5 Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. [a] 6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! [b] Hosanna in the highest! [a]= Zechariah 9:9 [b]= Psalm 118:26 1 John 5:20 (NKJV) 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your Son, our Redeemer King to us! Lowly, and sitting on a donkey. He came to this earth humbly, only to be exalted again and us exalted with Him! I pray that you continue to reveal to me the power of Your majesty, the depth of Jesus and the greatness of me in Him. I pray for my spiritual eyes to be open and my spiritual ears to hear the revelations of Your love for us that sent Jesus as our Redeemer. Open my heart to receive greater understanding of everything it meant when Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected again as written about in Isaiah 53. Today, I bless the name of Jesus the Christ and worship You. I live in the reality of what the people cried out to Jesus hoped for, Jesus reigning as King over all His people! (praise and worship breakout) 10
Monday April 10 th, 2017 Scripture Reflections of being Set Apart Romans 8:29-30 (NKJV) 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 1 Corinthians 6:11 (NKJV) 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; Jehovah M Kaddesh you are the God who sanctifies. You are the God who sanctified me. Thank you Father for washing me, setting me apart from this world and declaring to all throughout the ages that I am worthy because of Jesus the Christ. You have declared that I am a part of Your holy nation, special people, royal priesthood. You called me out of darkness into Your amazing light. You knew me before I existed and planned good works for my life. I know Lord, according to your word, that as I seek You, I will be led into every good work. Your plans are my plans. I say Yes Lord! Yes to Your plans, yes to Your agendas, yes to Your goals. I will continually speak of Your goodness, Your power, Your love and Your redemption! In Jesus name, amen. 11
tuesday April 11 th, 2017 Scripture Reflections on the Holy Spirit and Power of God John 16:7 (NKJV) 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. John 7:39-40 (NKJV) 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified 40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, Truly this is the Prophet. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NKJV) 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV) When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for empowering us with the gifts of the Spirit. Heavenly Father, it was Your plan to pour out Your Spirit upon us through the death and resurrection of Jesus. It was your plan and now it is my desire. I receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit which produces speaking in tongues. I m excited to be used in the Gifts of the Spirit; specifically (state your desired gift) for the benefit of all. 12
wednesday April 12 th, 2017 Scripture Reflections on Divine Protection Psalm 91:16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation. Psalm 91: 16 Psalm 91 (NKJV) 1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust. 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation. Prayer Father, You are God Most High. In the name of Jesus, I come to You for safety and protection. I declare that You are my place of refuge. You are my God and I trust You. I believe that You will save me from hidden traps and from deadly diseases. I believe that You will cover me with Your feathers and under Your wings I can hide. Your truth will be my shield and protection. I will not fear any danger by night or a bullet during the day. I will not be afraid of diseases that come in the dark or sickness that strikes at noon. At my side one thousand people may die, or even ten thousand right beside me, but I will not be hurt. These evils will not touch me in the name of Jesus. I will only watch and see the wicked punished. Lord, You are my protection; I have made You, God Most High, my place of safety. Nothing bad will happen to me; no disaster will come to my home. You have put Your angels in charge of me to watch over me wherever I go. They will hold me up in their hands so I won t even hurt my foot on a stone. Thank You for this AWESOME level of protection. I fully receive it in Jesus name, amen! 13
thursday April 13 th, 2017 Scripture Reflections on Health and Long Life Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. John 14:27 ESV Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Psalm 103:2-4 (NKJV) 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Prayer Heavenly Father, You are the God of all flesh. You are my healer and You are my health. I look to You for physical and mental health and wholeness. Divine health is my portion. I thank You that Jesus took my sicknesses and removed my diseases. Diseases, illnesses, conditions have no right to over take over my body. I thank You that by His stripes I was healed. (name the disease/illness/condition), you are in violation, leave my body now! Because I was healed 2,000 years ago, I am healed right now from the top of my head to the soles of my feet! By Your grace, I am well in my body and I ll never be sick another day in my life in Jesus name, amen! 14
friday April 14 th, 2017 - Good Friday Scripture Reflections on HIS Forgiveness Matthew 26:28 (NKJV) 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Ephesians 2:13 (NKJV) 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. John 8:38 (NKJV) 38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father. Romans 6:4-6 (NKJV) 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Luke 23:t34 34 Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. And they divided His garments and cast lots. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank you for the spilled blood of Jesus the Christ. Thank you God for separating me from my sin as far as the east is from the west because I believe in and accepted your Son, Jesus Christ. I celebrate that you have made me new in Him. The old me, with the old sins, the old mindset, the old desires, the old strongholds has died forever! The new me has risen with Jesus! I praise you Father because you through Jesus Christ has set me free from the bondage of sin. I am no longer a slave to sin. You have re- created me stronger than the temptation of sin. I don t have to sin anymore! Thank you for setting 15
me free from: Anger (bitterness, wrath, unforgiveness, violence, cursing, etc) Lust and Sexual Immorality (pornography, pre-marital sex, adultery, homosexuality, and all other sexual practices forbidden in your Word) Lying Generational curses Homosexuality Lying Generational Curses I am free by the blood of the Lamb of God. The sin, iniquities and transgressions that separated us are no more. You brought me close to you by His blood! (Praise and Worship break). Open my eyes, make me aware and bold to lead people to the redemption and freedom in Jesus Christ. I will be your ambassador to bring people to Jesus, to be brought near to You. Jesus said Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. In the middle of a slow torturous death, Jesus released forgiveness to those who inflicted an unbearable pain and public humiliation upon Him, yet still dying for them. Father, in the same way Jesus released forgiveness and you forgave me, I make the decision today to release and forgive (Name Person(s)) for (name the offense(s)). Lord help me to walk this out daily. Heal the hurt that this has caused me and the hurt this has caused to others through me. I pray that (Name Person(s)) experiences Your forgiveness and love through Jesus Christ that sets them free from what binds them. In Jesus name, Amen. 16
Saturday April 15 th, 2017 Reflection on God s Blessing Genesis 12:2 (NKJV) I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. Deuteronomy 28:2-8 (NKJV) 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God: 3 Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. 5 Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. 6 Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. 7 The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. 8 The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. Malachi 3:10-12 (NKJV) 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this, Says the Lord of hosts, If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field, Says the Lord of hosts; 12 And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land, Says the Lord of hosts John 19:28 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, I thirst! 2 Corinthians 8:9 17
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. Prayer Father, I thank you that Jesus became figuratively and literally poor on the cross. I thank you that because He became poor on the cross, I am free from poverty and lack! Father, I thank You that I m the seed of Abraham and that the blessing of Abraham is upon me. I am faithful in tithing, I do not hold my money back from you therefore, blessings are pouring out and the devourer is being pushed back. I m made for increase and empowered to prosper. I believe that Your blessing is upon me and overtaking me. You will make my business endeavors, investments, and ministry successful. By your great grace, I m blessed when I come in and I m blessed when I go out. I m blessed in the city and I m blessed in the country. My body is blessed and what I do is blessed. I believe that You will cause my enemies who rise against me to be defeated before my face; they shall come against me and flee before me in seven ways. You will command the blessing on me in my storehouses and in all to which I set my hand. Thank you for establishing me as one of Your holy people. All the peoples of the earth shall see that I am called by the name of the Lord and they shall be afraid of me. Father, You will grant me plenty of goods. You will open to me Your good treasure, the heavens, and You will bless all the work of my hand. I shall lend to many, but I shall not borrow. Lord, You will make me the head and not the tail; I shall be above only and not beneath. In Jesus name, amen! 18
Sunday April16 th, 2017 - Easter Sunday Scripture Reflections of the Resurrection of Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (ESV) 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. Ephesians 1:19-23 (NKJV) 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Prayer How wonderful, how marvelous, is Your love, Jesus! To think that You were willing to go through that for me! What a day of rejoicing that must have been when You rose and realized it was all over- -You had won the victory! You had accomplished Your mission. You had made the way for the world to be saved. You had gone through the horrors of Hell and death for us, and it was over. You arose in victory, joy, liberation, and freedom from the hands of evil men, never to have to go through that again--and You did it all to spare us the same. Now we can say with the apostle Paul, O death, where is your sting? O Hades [grave], where is your victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). As I think of the seemingly terrible defeat that You suffered and how it resulted in such a tremendous victory, it fills me with wonder and gives me such hope and peace. Surely You and Your love will see me through whatever troubles may come my way, from now till eternity! Amen. 19