Here's an Easter prayer time to be used with a group or congregation.Feel free to copy it into your word processor and edit it however you want. If you have led this type of prayer time before, use your own words and just follow the outline.If you pass it on; I'd appreciate it if you'd include my name and web site address:Lowell Snow at www.leadingprayer.comGuiding the prayer time:Practice reading it out loud several times.If you’re leading a worship service; you might ask for instrumental music to be played very softly in the background. This background music should not have a recognizable melody. Some musicians can play beautiful chord progressions that work well. Others will find it easier to play the chords of an unfamiliar hymn or song. The prayer time should come at the heart of worship with at least one song before it and one after. Try to eliminate ‘dead time’ before and after the prayer time. Click here for more help or see Appendix 2 in the back of the Prayer Guide book.•As you lead the prayer time - [Don’t read the instructions in brackets]•As you read the scriptural meditation - emphasize the words in bold.•As printed, the prayer time takes about 7 minutes.I hope this prayer time is a blessing to your group or congregation. There are others in the help pages of my web site and I write them for special occasions in my newsletter.In Christ,Lowell SnowEaster Prayer Time[Introduction]“Please bow your heads and close your eyes. For the next few minutes let’s give our attention to the Lord Jesus Christ who’s death and resurrection changed our lives and gives us hope every moment of every day.“In a minute, we’ll all pray silently, but first, listen to this First Peter 1:3.[Meditation:]Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [1 Peter 1:3 NIV]Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,…He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,[Visualization]“With your eyes closed, imagine the garden where Jesus was buried. It’s beautiful even in the dim light of early morning. The Roman soldiers guarding the tomb are agitated because they've been told that this is the day the followers of Jesus are likely to attempt to steal his dead body - and what better time to attack than just before dawn. Swords are drawn – spears at the ready.“The air grows stagnate. The ground trembles. Lightning flashes, but instead of thunder; the earth groans and heaves. The trees shudder and bow. The whole garden is lifted and dropped again and again. Great stones split and explode with a deafening roar.“The soldiers are thrown to the ground, but as they scramble for their weapons; the earth falls silent. All that’s left of this horror is the silent lightning. When they jump to their feet, they are facing a warrior like none they've ever imagined.“He's surrounded by light so dazzling it defies words. Perhaps not light at all but the essence of glory. He’s easily the mass of three soldiers and hovers several feet off the ground. A gleaming sword is in one hand and a golden shield in the other.“There is no battle. The soldiers faint in terror. The angel sheathes his sword and moves to the tomb. He settles to the ground by the great stone that covers the entrance to the tomb. He falls to his knees and brushes it aside. He waits - head bowed - arms outstretched.[wait 2 seconds]“From within the tomb a nail pierced hand extends and touches the angle’s outstretched arm.[wait 3 seconds]“Hope. What greater picture of hope than that nail pierced hand extended from the very shadows of death?[Suggestion]“With your head still bowed and eyes closed, imagine that you approach the tomb just as Jesus Christ steps out. You fall on your knees and join the angel in worship of the savior. What will you say?[wait 2 seconds]“It was your sinfulness that put Him in the tomb – so I suggest that you humbly confess your sins. No excuses. Be humble before Him now.[wait 10 seconds]“Imagine that those sins are a bundle of guilt in your hands. Jesus reaches down, takes that horrible mess in His nail scarred hands and throws it into the darkness of the empty tomb.[wait 3 seconds]“Then He takes your hands in His and the stains of sin are instantly gone. He lifts you up and you stand before Him.[wait 2 seconds]“Thank Him silently now for this forgiveness.[wait 3 seconds]“Thank Him for dying on the cross for you.[wait 3 seconds]“Thank Him for enduring the tomb for you.[wait 3 seconds]“Thank Him for the hope of eternal life.[wait 3 seconds]“Thank Him that you no longer have to fear the shadow of death.[wait 3 seconds]“Now imagine that you and Jesus begin to walk away from the tomb. Jesus asks you about your friends and family that have not yet experienced His forgiveness.[wait 2 seconds]“Pray silently now for several people you know that don’t have the joy of the Lord in their lives. Ask Jesus to help you share that joy with them.[wait 10 seconds]“Now pray for the person to your left and right - whether you know them or not. Pray that God will bless them today.[wait 4 seconds][Benediction]Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. [Heb 13:20-21 NKJV]
Comments
God bless.
Lowell Snow