easter

8 Ways to Pray for Easter Weekend Events

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I fear that many churches plan for weeks (or months) for Easter weekend, but then pray for only minutes over the weekend’s events. To counter this tendency, I encourage you to use this list to lead your congregation to pray with intentionality and direction through the rest of this week.

  1. Pray that the truth of the death and resurrection of Jesus will refresh your heart in new ways. Too many of us take this story for granted, and we “celebrate” these events by simply having a big day in church. Instead, pray that Resurrection Sunday will have new meaning for you this year.
  2. Pray for church members to invite their non-believing friends to the services. It’s not enough to invite only friends we already know are believers – whether they are unchurched or are unhappy at their current church. As you pray, be sure to invite your own non-believing friends.
  3. Pray for non-believers to be burdened about their need to be in church. Many unchurched folks will make decisions about whether to attend church this weekend. Pray they will make the right decision. Intercede specifically by name for friends you know.
  4. Pray for the health of your pastoral staff. This weekend is a busy one, and stress can sometimes make us more vulnerable to illness. Pray for your pastors’ families as well.
  5. Pray that the gospel is clearly presented during the worship services. In my opinion, some pastors overdo their sermons on Easter because this is their one shot to speak to some of the crowd. Folks may leave impressed, but without understanding the gospel.
  6. Pray against the enemy snatching the Word as it’s proclaimed. He has so many ways of distracting people from hearing the Word, and he appears to work overtime during gospel proclamation. Even during the service itself, pray that you personally will first hear the Word, and then others will as well.
  7. Pray for non-believers to turn to Christ and wayward believers to return to Him. Again, pray by name if you know folks who will likely attend; let your “heart’s desire” to be that people will be saved (Rom. 10:1).
  8. Pray for the 4 billion+ people around the world who have never heard the Resurrection story – and for the missionaries who are giving their lives to get the story to them. This Sunday will mean nothing for much of the world. If that reality does not break your heart, you likely don’t fully fathom the miracle and grace of the resurrection.

Take some time each day this week to pray using these suggestions.

 


Editor’s note: This post was originally published at chucklawless.com


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MDiv Preaching and Pastoral Ministry

The Preaching and Pastoral Ministry track prepares students for pastoral ministry in the local church with a special emphasis on expository preaching.

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  • Pastoral Ministry
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Chuck Lawless

Director of the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership

Dr. Chuck Lawless currently serves as Professor of Evangelism and Missions, Dean of Doctoral Studies, and Vice-President for Spiritual Formation and Ministry Centers at Southeastern Seminary, in addition to serving as Team Leader for Theological Education Strategists for the International Mission Board. He previously served as a Vice-President for Global Theological Advance for the IMB. Prior to that, he was dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY, where he also served as Vice President for Academic Programming and the Director of Professional Doctoral Studies. He received a B.S. degree from Cumberland College and M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from Southern Seminary. He is the author of eight works, including “Membership Matters,” and “Spiritual Warfare,” and has contributed numerous articles to denominational periodicals. He and his wife Pam have been married for over 25 years and reside here in Wake Forest, NC.

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