"A Prayer for Easter Sunday" by Scotty Smith

Happy Easter to you all!

I hope today has been filled with family, happiness, and the eternal hope we have in our Risen Savior! 

What a joyous day this is for us all--can you imagine what that day was like?! 

Christ is Risen, He is Risen indeed!

I wanted to share Scotty Smith's daily prayer for today--it's spot on & quite beautiful. 

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice." 1 Peter 1:3-6a (NIV)

Exalted and resurrected Jesus, we join the Apostle Peter’s bold declaration of living hope and great joy. For you have risen from the dead, and this good news changes everything.

     Because of your resurrection, we’re neither afraid to die, or to live; we’re not hapless vagabonds on earth, we’re hope-filled children of God. We’re no longer enslaved to our sins; we’re now wrapped in your righteousness. Those who’ve “gone to sleep” in you, aren’t slumbering in the void; they’re rejoicing in your presence. Hallelujah!

     Because of your resurrection, we’re less to be pitied than anybody, and more to be grateful than everybody (1 Cor. 15:14-19). You are the firstfruits and guarantee of a whole new order—the “new creation” dominion of redemption and restoration. Everything sad will come untrue, and all things broken will be made new. How we long for that Day!

     Because of your resurrection, you are already reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords. All evil dominions, wicked authorities, and malevolent powers now stand defeated, and one Day they will be fully eradicated. Hallelujah, many times over!

     Jesus, your death is the death of death, and your resurrection is the resurrection of all things. You died for our sins and have been raised for our justification. Oh, the wonder, marvel and gratitude that fills our hearts today. We are forgiven, we are beloved, and we are yours!

     In light of this living hope and compelling love, this measureless grace and eternal inheritance, free us for spending the rest of our days living and loving to your glory. So very Amen we pray, Jesus, in your resurrected and reigning name.

"He is not here, but has risen."

Luke 24:6

Amen & Amen