Friday - Because He Lives

Welcome to Daily Prayer. This is Week 2 of the Because He Lives series—encounters with the risen Jesus. Today we end by reflecting on the response of the two disciples. Once they recognized Jesus, they got up and returned to Jerusalem with a testimony. Ask the Lord to make you a faithful witness to His grace.

Luke 24:13–35

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?”

And they stood still, looking sad.

Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

And he said to them, “What things?”

And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

A Word of Encouragement

The story does not end with private comfort. Once the disciples recognized Jesus, they rose that same hour and went back to Jerusalem with a message of hope. That is still the pattern of Christian life. Jesus meets us personally, but He does not intend for His grace to stop with us. He comforts us, teaches us, awakens us, and then…He sends us.

A Prayer of Thankfulness

Jesus, thank You for the ways You have made Yourself known to me. Thank You that You are alive. Thank You that You still meet Your people personally. Thank You that You are willing to use ordinary people to speak of extraordinary grace. Thank You that my story, however unfinished, can still point to Your faithfulness.

A Prayer of Intercession

Lord, I pray for those in my life who need to know You. Draw near to them. Open their eyes to see Jesus. Bring hope to the weary and faith to the searching. Use Your bride, the Church, to proclaim Jesus with grace and truth.

A Prayer of Petition

Jesus, make me a faithful witness. Give me courage to speak of what You have done. Free me from fear and hesitation. Help me speak simply, clearly, and lovingly about Your grace. Let my life point others to You.

Closing Prayer

During these last few moments, pray for specific people in your life who need to know Jesus. Ask the Lord to show you one person to encourage, one truth to share, or one simple way to bear witness to His love, truth, and grace this week.