Who will you pray for this Holy Week? Perhaps there is a story in Response that stands out to you, or a particular country or person that has been on your heart for a while. Here are seven verses to guide your prayers – especially for Christians who may be more vulnerable as Easter approaches.
Rachel from CSW’s External Affairs Team says:
‘I’m particularly thinking about Christians in Colombia. I remember a when pastor told us last year: “I wanted to call the churches to a season of prayer and fasting for peace in our country… but it is too risky.” It stirs me to pray, knowing that we can stand in the gap for them.
‘I’m praying through these verses, that they would be refreshed in the hope of the Gospel. As Christians we believe there is something more than this world can offer. A brighter hope; a surer future. Perfect justice; perfect peace. A saviour who is familiar with suffering. It’s difficult to hear what’s happening in the world – often in painful detail – but it helps to recentre my mind on God’s word. He is eternally triumphant, and one day every knee will bow.’
Sunday 29 March
‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.’ (Romans 3:23–24)
Monday 30 March
‘But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.’ (Ephesians 2:4–5)
Tuesday 31 March
‘But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.’ (Isaiah 53:5)
Wednesday 1 April
‘For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.’ (Titus 2:11)
Thursday 2 April
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)
Friday 3 April
‘He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.’ (Colossians 2:13b-15)
Saturday 4 April
‘Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…’ (Philippians 2:9-10a)