DEVOTION:
DEVOTION:
1 Peter 1:3
“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.”
PRAYER:
As this Wednesday morning begins, just a few days beyond Easter, we pause again in the quiet light of a new day and give You thanks. The lilies may begin to fade, the music of Sunday may now be behind us, and the rhythm of ordinary life may already be returning — but the truth of Easter still stands. Christ is risen. And because He lives, hope is not gone. New life is not just a church word. It is the gift You continue to place before us each day. So this morning, help us not to leave Easter behind as if it were only a moment to celebrate. Teach us how to live in resurrection. Teach us how to carry hope into ordinary days, peace into unsettled moments, and trust into places where we still feel unsure. Remind us that the empty tomb still speaks — not only to our salvation, but to our daily living.
Lord, we also lift before You those who are sick, weak, or recovering this morning. Be near to those facing treatments, healing from surgery, waiting on results, or simply trying to find strength for one more day. Bring comfort where there is pain, patience where there is frustration, and healing where bodies and spirits need restoration. Let Your presence be felt in hospital rooms, living rooms, rehab centers, and quiet places of recovery.
And Father, we pray for our country. We feel the division, the chaos, the mistrust, and the heaviness that so often hangs in the air. It can be exhausting to watch, and easy to become discouraged. But You are not the author of confusion, and You are not absent from these days. Bring wisdom where there is foolishness, humility where there is pride, truth where there is distortion, and peace where fear and anger have taken root. Teach us, as Your people, not to mirror the spirit of the world, but to reflect the heart of Christ — steady, compassionate, truthful, and full of grace.
For those who are weary this morning, breathe fresh life. For those who are grieving, let resurrection hope sit gently beside their sorrow. For those who feel stuck, awaken something new. And for all of us, help us walk through this day as people who belong to the risen Christ. Thank You for the beauty of another morning. Thank You for the mercy that continues after the celebration is over. And thank You that Easter is not behind us, it is still unfolding within us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“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.”
PRAYER:
As this Wednesday morning begins, just a few days beyond Easter, we pause again in the quiet light of a new day and give You thanks. The lilies may begin to fade, the music of Sunday may now be behind us, and the rhythm of ordinary life may already be returning — but the truth of Easter still stands. Christ is risen. And because He lives, hope is not gone. New life is not just a church word. It is the gift You continue to place before us each day. So this morning, help us not to leave Easter behind as if it were only a moment to celebrate. Teach us how to live in resurrection. Teach us how to carry hope into ordinary days, peace into unsettled moments, and trust into places where we still feel unsure. Remind us that the empty tomb still speaks — not only to our salvation, but to our daily living.
Lord, we also lift before You those who are sick, weak, or recovering this morning. Be near to those facing treatments, healing from surgery, waiting on results, or simply trying to find strength for one more day. Bring comfort where there is pain, patience where there is frustration, and healing where bodies and spirits need restoration. Let Your presence be felt in hospital rooms, living rooms, rehab centers, and quiet places of recovery.
And Father, we pray for our country. We feel the division, the chaos, the mistrust, and the heaviness that so often hangs in the air. It can be exhausting to watch, and easy to become discouraged. But You are not the author of confusion, and You are not absent from these days. Bring wisdom where there is foolishness, humility where there is pride, truth where there is distortion, and peace where fear and anger have taken root. Teach us, as Your people, not to mirror the spirit of the world, but to reflect the heart of Christ — steady, compassionate, truthful, and full of grace.
For those who are weary this morning, breathe fresh life. For those who are grieving, let resurrection hope sit gently beside their sorrow. For those who feel stuck, awaken something new. And for all of us, help us walk through this day as people who belong to the risen Christ. Thank You for the beauty of another morning. Thank You for the mercy that continues after the celebration is over. And thank You that Easter is not behind us, it is still unfolding within us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.