Prayer of the Day

Lord Jesus, You are risen — and everything is different.

This morning we stand where the women stood, looking into an empty tomb, hearing the words that changed the world: He is not here. He is risen, as He said.

Thank You, Lord. Thank You that the stone was rolled away — not so You could get out, but so we could look in and believe.

Thank You that death did not have the last word. Not over You, and because of You, not over us. Every grave we grieve beside, every ending we thought was final, every dark Friday of our lives — Easter says none of them is the end of the story.

Risen Lord, breathe that hope into us today. Where our faith has grown tired, raise it. Where our hearts have gone quiet, wake them. Where we have settled for small hopes, stretch us toward the great one: that because You live, we will live also.

We pray for everyone who comes to this morning carrying something heavy — fresh grief, old regret, a fear they cannot name. Meet them the way You met Mary in the garden: gently, by name, when she thought all was lost.

Fill our homes with joy today. Bless the tables we gather around, the family beside us and the family far away, and let our celebration be more than a holiday — let it be worship.

You were dead, and behold, You are alive forevermore. Hallelujah — Christ is risen indeed.

In Your holy name we pray, Amen.

Lord, be with me tonight.

The day took more than I expected, and I'm coming to You with what's left of me — which isn't much. You've never asked for more than that.

Whatever tonight holds — quiet or chaos, a full house or an empty one — be in it with me.

Guard my home while the lights go out. Guard the people I love, near and far, under whatever roof they're sleeping tonight.

Take tonight's worries — the ones about tomorrow, the ones about money, the ones about people — and hold them until morning. If they still matter then, we'll talk. Most of them won't.

Give me peace tonight, Lord. Not because everything is settled, but because You are here, and You are good, and You'll still be both when the sun comes up.

In Jesus' name, Amen.