If not for Jesus’ willing death and surrender to the Father’s will, we would still be dead in our sins. If not for his resurrection, we would have no hope of eternal life with God and no hope of experiencing Christ’s resurrection life here and now.
This truth is worth meditating on. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, the 40 days of Easter Prep give us a beautiful opportunity to implement some spiritual practices as we prepare our hearts for renewal.
Many people fast during the days leading up to Easter. We don’t fast to seek after our own will, but to seek the will of God and his heart to heal our world.
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter? Isaiah 58:6-7a NIV
We fast to identify with the complete surrender of Christ to the will of the Father. From the 40 days in the wilderness to the agony of Gethsemane, we have Christ as our model and our strength to say, “Father, not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
Perhaps invite others to join you. Observing Easter Preparation with other believers will not only make the journey more enjoyable but will also give each of you the accountability to persevere by lifting one another up in prayer and affirmation.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, bless us with renewed passion. Father, transform us into the image of your Son. Jesus, empower us to live a life of surrender. Amen.
By Jillian Morrison, Pastor,
Glendora, California, U.S.
Adapted from an Equipper article. Read the full article here: Spiritual Practices for Easter Preparation
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