Day 40 Scripture:
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.  
Psalm 130

Prayer Prompt: Hope in the Lord
We’ve spent the last few weeks chasing Jesus. Following him on the way to the cross. Now we are still focusing on the waiting. We can’t begin to imagine the shock and grief Jesus’ followers endured on this day. Jesus body broken and laid in a borrowed tomb. Chief priests maneuvering to secure Roman guards ultimately to protect their positions of power. Sabbath, a day meant for rest, now filled with fearful sorrowful waiting.

But in the silence God’s plan prevailed, plentiful in redemption, steadfast in love. While we wait to celebrate the resurrection we invite you to spend this time in reflection. In the presence of a righteous and holy judge who could stand? Pray that the ears of your heart would be attentive to the voice of the Lord. Cast your sins, your sorrows, your failings down and repent. Prepare your heart to receive with fresh awe the victory won for you at the cross.
Tomorrow we celebrate- because he has indeed redeemed us from all iniquities and granted us full pardon- in Him there is new life abundant in mercy.

Day 39 - Good Friday Scripture:
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:45–54

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30

Prayer Prompt: Jesus Forsaken
Alone on the cross, the moment came of total separation from God the Father. We can’t begin to comprehend the anguish of those moments. For the first time in all of history Jesus is separated from the Father. The physical pain of the cross and the heartbreak of mockery and betrayal pales in comparison to these moments of separation. Yet Jesus bore this all for us.
“It is finished”. The work complete, death defeated, the bondage of sin broken, the veil separating us torn. Now we can meet with God anywhere at anytime. Let us take full advantage of this mighty gift He has given us at such a great cost.

Day 38 Scripture:
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”  
Matthew 26:36–46

Prayer Prompt: Watch and Pray With Me
Jesus was facing the culmination of his earthly ministry, death and separation from God. Vulnerable in his anguish he invites Peter, James, and John to watch and pray with Him.  He pours out his sorrow and fear to the Father while being surrendered to his will.
Lord, give us strength to stay alert to your heart. Let us be a people of prayer who join together to hold one another up before your throne. Help us not to become apathetic to the joy and privilege of being invited to come boldly into your presence. Turn our hearts to you and keep us surrendered to your will above all else.

Day 37 Scripture
And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
 Mark 14:3–9


Prayer Prompt: The Value of Jesus
Nard ointment was a precious and costly perfume costing almost a years salary. In Song of Solomon it symbolizes pure devotion between the Bride and Bridegroom. It was also used in burial and royal anointing. Mary is showing an extravagant outpouring of love. While the disciples were still blind to Jesus impending death she is preparing her Messiah, the King of kings, for his burial This woman knew Jesus was worth the costly perfume. If she had more she would have offered it. What can you offer Jesus today?

Day 36 Scripture:
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
John 12:20–33

Prayer Prompt: Obedience Glorifies the Father in Heaven
Jesus shows us the purpose of his coming. To surrender all for the glory of God - to put his goodness on display offering all of humanity fellowship with God. Jesus didn’t come to teach morality for the sake of creating disciples of nicety. He came to fulfill God’s plan of reconciliation. Will you allow God to shape your purpose? Will you seek to put God’s goodness and grace on display to those around you?

Day 35 Scripture:
And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.
Mark 11:15–18

Prayer Prompt: Willing Offering
The temple was built to be a place of worship and atonement. A refuge where the presence of God rested. Jesus calls out the corruption that had been allowed to take place in the Temple. Merchants had begun selling sacrificial animals and rejecting the sacrifices brought in by worshippers. This place of worship had become a place of exploitation. God’s heart has always been to welcome the faithful no matter how small their sacrifice may seem to others. Ask the Lord to bless and multiply your offerings. To make you a cheerful giver-not focusing on financial gifts- but willingly giving your time and skills to see those around you strengthened and encouraged.

Day 34 Scripture:
The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
John 12:12–15

Prayer Prompt: Hosanna to High King Jesus
Hosanna in Hebrew is a plea for salvation. Jesus entered Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabarnacles to shouts of praise. But what the people hoped for was a political savior. Instead of a war horse Jesus rode a donkey symbolizing peace. The salvation he brought wasn’t earthly or temporary. He is King of kings, Lord of lords, Almighty God, Lord of All, our Light and Salvation.  If you haven’t yet - welcome him not as savior of your temporary troubles but as the King of your life and the Savior of your soul.

Day 33 Scripture:
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:1–8

Prayer Prompt: Life and Peace
Tomorrow we begin to walk through the events leading to the cross. As we step into the last section of scriptures we want to focus our hearts on the why. Why would Jesus enter Jerusalem knowing his death was coming?
To do what we could never do. The law could only reveal our sin. His blood paid our debt. Our flesh is hostile to the things of God blinding us and keeping us chasing our own destruction. His sacrifice sets us free-there is no more condemnation. His Spirit opens our eyes and gives us life and peace. Ask the Lord to give you a fresh awareness of the grace you have been given. Ask for God to move your heart for those still lost in sin.

Day 32 Scripture:
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
 Romans 5:6–11

Prayer Prompt: At the Right Time Christ Died for the Ungodly
Jesus surrendered his life while the world he came to save mocked and hated him. As the religious elite called him a false prophet and a deceiver and his own people despised him he gave himself over to experience the wrath of God. His love and goodness is beyond the scope of our understanding. Where we hold petty grudges and seek our own comfort perpetually he embodied sacrificial love pouring himself out for the sake of unworthy undeserving people like you and me. As we continue to look forward to the cross, rejoice at the incomprehensible love of Jesus.

Day 31 Scripture:
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 5:7–10

Prayer Prompt: Source of Salvation
We don’t like to spend time meditating on Jesus physical suffering, but we especially don’t focus often on the time Jesus spent in anguish crying out to the Father that this cup be removed from him. That he would be spared from having to carry out this redemption plan. Jesus knew the Father could save him from death while positioning himself completely under the Father’s authority. The Source of your salvation did not surrender to his flesh in pursuit of his own rescue but surrendered to the Father’s will. Sit in the fullness of Jesus’ obedience. Pray for a heart that is willing to surrender your will, your comfort, your “control” for the greater joy of fellowship with the Father.

Day 30 Scripture:
And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.
 Luke 18:31–34

Prayer Prompt: Help Us Understand
Jesus gathers the disciples and summarizes prophecy sharing with them what he was about to experience. Without the Holy Spirit they did not grasp what he would endure. Lord, help us grasp the depth of your sacrifice. Keep us from being casual about all that you endured for our freedom. Help us to walk every day filled with awe and gratitude.

Day 29 Scripture:
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.
Luke 9:51–53

Prayer Prompt: Looking in the Right Direction
Jesus set his face on the goal that God sent him to do, his death on the cross, our salvation. Jesus gives us the perfect example of obedience. How often do we seek to distract ourselves from where God is sending us, from being faithful where he has us? Pray for a surrendered heart to live out his mission and the courage to be faithful where he calls you.

Day 28 Scripture:
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”The sting of death is sin,
and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:55–58

Prayer Prompt: Power Over Death
This week we saw all the areas of victory through what Jesus did on the cross, the
promises that were given by Him. Let us declare by faith these promises.
Through the blood of Jesus, we are redeemed out of the hand of the devil. Through the
blood of Jesus, all our sins are forgiven. Through the blood of Jesus, we are justified,
made righteous - through the blood of Jesus, we are sanctified, made holy, set apart by
God. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit; redeemed, cleansed, justified, and
sanctified. Through the blood of Jesus, every curse for disobedience is broken. Through
the blood of Jesus, every blessing of obedience is ours. Through the blood of Jesus, the
way to perpetual communion with the Father has been opened, and no man can shut it.
Through the blood of Jesus, we are heirs and possessors of all the riches of our
Father's eternal Kingdom. The blood of Jesus speaks for us today from the mercy seat
in God’s throne in heaven. Therefore the devil has no place in us, no power over us and
no unsettled claims against us. We overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil through
the blood of Jesus.

Day 27 Scripture:
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the
purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who
were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when
you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were
sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we
acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:11–14

Prayer Prompt: Our Inheritance in Jesus Christ
The power of the Cross guarantees our inheritance. Your salvation has been sealed -
not because you have performed the way you should - but because the moment you
heard and believed you were given the Spirit of God. In an anxiety filled world thank
Him for this guarantee.

Day 26 Scripture:
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus,
the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is
unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been
tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne
of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14–16

Prayer Prompt: Jesus Our Intercessor
The power of the Cross gives us a mediator who sympathizes with our weakness.
Meditate on the fullness of this grace. Not only have we been granted access to God
and freed from the power of sin but when we’re struggling with temptation Jesus sits at
God’s right hand speaking for you. If you’re struggling with sin today, in confidence draw
near to the throne of grace. There’s mercy for you to receive and help in your time of
need.

Day 25 Scripture:
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what
fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For
the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have
become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord. Romans 6:20–23

Prayer Prompt: Freedom From Sin
The power of the Cross sets us free from sin. Once we each chased what felt right to us
following a path to bondage and death. Now we have the gift of eternal life in Him. Ask
God for an opportunity this Easter season to share with someone how you were once
lost and are now walking free.

Day 24 Scripture
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will
scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare
even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ
died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall
we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were
reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall
we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Romans 5:6-11

Prayer Prompt: Reconciled With God
The power of the Cross met us when we were enemies. In our weakness, our
unrighteousness, our ungodly sin-filled existence Jesus’ sacrifice declares us righteous.
Rejoice in the knowledge that though we deserved every bit of God’s wrath, we
experience none of it.

Day 23 - March 18

Scripture
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in
which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice
in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces
character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because
God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given
to us.  Romans 5:1-5

Prayer Prompt: Peace With God
The power of the Cross grants you peace with God and the ability to stand in faith even
through suffering knowing He wastes nothing. Think back to a time God sustained you
and thank Him for the fruit He produced in your life. If you’re currently in a time of
suffering, ask Him to help you see the daily grace He’s providing. Thank Him for His
love poured into you.

Day 22 - March 17

Scripture
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of
Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is,
through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw
near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an
evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession
of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  Hebrews 10:19–23

Prayer Prompt: Access to God
The power of the Cross gives us direct access to God. Draw near with confidence, with
full assurance because He who promised is faithful-not to give us everything we want -
but to accomplish His good and perfect will.

Day 21 Scripture:
We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:20b–21

Prayer Prompt: Choose to Believe
Review the cost of the cross, all that Jesus went through to accomplish the will of the Lord. What will you do with that sacrifice? We implore you to turn and reconcile your heart before the Lord, surrender all to him and praise him for such a feat. Acknowledge your sin and exchange it for righteousness.

Day 20 Scripture:
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:10–14

Prayer Prompt: The Curse of Selfish Ambition is Broken
Jesus was most likely being attacked and tempted spiritually, mentally and emotionally by demons/devil to give up and not finish the course. The Law of Moses had been twisted for selfish ambition. Jesus peaked in humility in continuing the course despite all power being at His disposal to save Himself. But He choose us, He put our lives ahead of His own so that we might be free of such attacks.

Day 19 Scripture:
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.  
Psalm 22:14–18



Prayer Prompt: From Rags to Righteousness
The purple robe ripped off his flesh from the open wounds it was sticking to. No one there but the guards, casting lots over his garments, which to them was worth more than the life of Jesus. Lonely, deserted, and shamefully naked, so that we might walk clothed in righteousness.

Day 18 Scripture:
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 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. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 2:22–25

Prayer Prompt: Amazing Grace
He took 39 stripes on His back from the roman scourging. A crown of thorns was pressed down on his forehead. The thorns were one to two inches long. Patches of His beard were ripped off His face. He did not deserve any such treatment. He committed no sin, yet a perfect and holy sacrifice was needed to redeem a wretch like me. What amazing grace this is.

Day 17 Scripture:
Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:10-12

Prayer Prompt: Thirst No More
The weight of the cross used up all of His strength, the sun used up whatever strength was left. He was thirsty and dehydrated. Tired from a sleepless night. From the anguish of His soul He gives us living water so that we might thirst no more. When we come to Jesus, he satisfies our deepest needs.

Day 16 Scripture:
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgement he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
Isaiah 53:7-9

Prayer Prompt: Redeem Our Words
He was mocked, beaten and spit on. He struggled to breath from being beaten. Yet did not open his mouth, for he had a mission. A mission to save you and me, to give us a chance to speak relationally to His Father in Heaven. Praise him for his faithfulness. That while he had the power to spare himself unimaginable suffering, he let himself be led to the cross in your place. May our words be redeemed by the silence of Jesus.