Friday 24 March to Friday 31 March
Today's Resources
The First Step
Take five deep breaths. Check-in with how you are feeling – in body, in mind, in spirit. Take five more deep breaths and ask God to abide with you in this moment.
The Second Step
Read this week’s hymn verse.
Take my will and make it thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is thine own.
It shall be thy royal throne.
How does it describe what happened yesterday, and today?
Talk to God about this.
The Third Step
A series of very brief readings from Luke 22
Day One
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”
This is the night of Jesus’ arrest. We join here in the Garden of Gethsemane. How do you picture the scene?
Day Two
He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
What do you think Jesus meant?
Day Three
An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Can you remember a time when you really struggled with God like this?
Day Four
When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
Judas is about to come into view with the soldiers who will arrest Jesus. We are on the brink of Holy Week. Ask Jesus to show you something new and fresh in the coming days about his death and resurrection.
The Fourth Step
Read this week’s prayer. What stands out for you today?
This version of the Lord’s Prayer is from the Anglican Church in New Zealand
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom, sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever. Amen.
The Fifth Step
Read the hymn verse again.
Take my will and make it thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is thine own.
It shall be thy royal throne.
How does this describe what’s coming up the rest of today and tomorrow? Talk to God about this.