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A Prayer about Doing the Father’s Will

by | Mar 27, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Doing the Father’s Will

‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.’

Luke 22:42

Author God,

How we thank you for writing this tragic scene into your story, 

that we might know the grief 

Jesus suffered as he contemplated 

fulfilling the mission you had given him.

Our Savior begged you to “remove this cup” (Luke 22:42). 

In his humanity, he dreaded the horror of crucifixion. 

As your sinless Son, 

he dreaded even more 

bearing your wrath for our sins. 

And yet, he prayed, “Not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). 

You did not remove the cup. 

You sent an angel to strengthen him.

And our Savior cried more tears, 

prayed more prayers, 

sweating blood in his agony. 

From him, we learn that it’s okay 

to name the horror of death. 

From him, we learn to pray 

as we grieve. 

And from him, we learn that even in grief, 

we look to glory, 

for Jesus “endured the cross 

for the joy that was set before him” (Hebrews 12:2). 

How we thank you for the joy you gave us

through our Savior’s death and resurrection. 

In his wonderful name we pray. Amen.

Read Luke 22:29-46.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about the Hope of the Cross

by | Mar 26, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection

A Prayer about the Hope of the Cross

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?’ And they paid him thirty shekels of silver.  Matthew 26:14-15

 

Merciful Father,

This scene ranks right up there 

as one of the saddest moments in all of Scripture.

 Judas, disgusted with Jesus’ mercy, 

makes his final decision to betray Jesus, 

and for a pittance. 

While it’s tempting to point fingers at Judas and ask, 

“How could he,” 

we must also look in the mirror and see 

our own betrayal of you, of Jesus, 

our rebellious hearts that Jesus died to restore. 

Even as we see the darkness of our own sin, 

may we step back and survey the wondrous cross 

on which our Prince of Glory died. 

May we truly comprehend 

the depth and breadth of your love for us 

and your complete forgiveness of our sins. 

As we do, may we fall at your feet to worship as Mary did, 

extravagantly and spectacularly. 

In Jesus’ loyal name. 

Read Matthew 26:6-16.

Note: This prayer is based on my Holy Week devotional, The Gospel Day-by-Day. Get your Holy Week devotional e-book free now.

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Learning to Forgive

by | Mar 25, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Easter

A Prayer about Learning to Forgive

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25

Heavenly Father,

On this Tuesday of Holy Week, 

as Jesus taught his disciples essential lessons 

they would need in the coming days, 

he chose to highlight forgiveness.

May we never misunderstand Jesus’ command to forgive:

It is not our forgiving others that earns your forgiveness. 

It is your forgiveness alone through Christ’s death and resurrection 

that empowers us to forgive. 

And yet, you have made your design clear:

there is no room for bitterness and unforgiveness 

in the Christian’s heart. 

You have shaped our hearts 

for your contra-conditional love, 

undeserved mercy, 

and costly forgiveness. 

Almighty God, help us. 

Help us to name the harm that seems unforgivable. Move mighty mountains of bitterness 

far from our hearts; 

toss them into the depths of the sea. 

Free us to run in the boundless love 

which flowed fully down from the cross. 

In Jesus’ forgiving name. Amen.

Read Mark 11:20-25; Matthew 6:7-15.

Note: This prayer is based on my Holy Week devotional, The Gospel Day-by-Day. Get your Holy Week devotional e-book free now. Link in profile or copy/paste link into browser: http://eepurl.com/b__teX.

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Becoming Fruitful Fig Trees

by | Mar 25, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Easter

A Prayer about Becoming Fruitful Fig Trees

And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ And the fig tree withered at once. Matthew 21:18

 

Creator God,

We confess, 

many of us are as confused 

as the disciples about why you cursed the fig tree. 

What we don’t understand 

is that the fig tree represents Israel, your people, 

who had been saved for a purpose: 

to bear fruit (grow figs); 

yet they repeatedly turned away from you, 

the God who saved them: 

“What I gave them has passed away from them” (Jeremiah 8:13). 

Their leaves of life had withered 

and their figs of fruit had passed away.

Lord, save us from our wayward hearts. 

Help us to grasp 

that Christ’s death and resurrection 

alone will change us into fruit-bearing trees, 

flourishing in your kingdom, 

waving our bright green leaves 

and offering others a taste 

of the rich juicy fruit of your glory. 

In Jesus’ fruit-bearing name. Amen. 

Read Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14.

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Perfect Peace

by | Mar 24, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Lent

A Prayer about Perfect Peace

Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ John 20:21

Heavenly Father, 

Even as Holy Week begins, 

may we remember its conclusion. 

In the days leading up to his death, 

Jesus suffered physical, mental, and emotional pain. 

And yet, he always remained at peace, 

because he knew he had been sent by you to complete a mission—

to bring your people back to your loving embrace.

Now, we your people carry on that mission. 

And sometimes we too will suffer physical, mental, and emotional pain. 

When we do, 

may we remember Christ’s words 

and know his profound comfort: 

‘Peace be with you.’

In Jesus’ peace-bringing name. Amen.

Read John 20:19-23.

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

 

A Prayer about a King who Wins by Dying

by | Mar 23, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection

A Prayer about a King who Wins by Dying

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

Author God,

Who would think to write such a story—

the hero completes his mission by dying? 

And yet, this is just the true story you wrote. 

“It is finished,” 

Jesus proclaimed with his final breath.

What is finished?

Jesus’ work. 

The mission you sent Jesus to complete: 

The debt for sin is

 paid up. 

Our debt for sin is paid up

when we trust in Jesus.

The punishment for sin is over. 

Our punishment for sin is over

when we trust in Jesus. 

The victory over death is complete. 

Our victory over death is complete

when we trust in Jesus.

Lord God, thank you for this ending to the story of redemption

that is the beginning of an eternal story of restoration. 

In Jesus’ sacrificial name. Amen.

Read John 19:28-30; Hebrews 9:12, 9:25-28; Colossians 2:15.

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker