Tuesday - Because He Lives

Welcome to Daily Prayer. This is Week 6 of the Because He Lives series — encounters with

the risen Jesus. Today, we begin near the end of Luke’s Gospel. The disciples are trying to

make sense of everything they have seen: the cross, the empty tomb, the reports of

resurrection, and now the risen Jesus standing before them. Now He tells them what this

fulfilled message is meant to produce: repentance, forgiveness, witness, and Spirit-

empowered mission. But before they go, they must wait. Wait for the power to complete the

mission. Let us quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord, anticipating a special connection

with him today. Father, today we give everyone and everything to you.

Luke 24:44-46

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with

you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms

must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to

them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the

dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to

all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I

am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed

with power from on high.”

Word of Encouragement

Jesus says that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all

nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And yet Jesus tells His disciples to wait. The mission is

urgent, but it must not be attempted in the flesh. The disciples had information. They had

personal experience. They had seen the risen Jesus. But they still needed power from on

high. God’s work requires God’s power. The command to wait is not wasted time. Waiting can

be obedience. Waiting can be the place where God teaches us not to confuse activity with

power.

A Prayer of Adoration

Jesus, I praise you for the forgiveness of sins. You suffered, died, and rose again so

repentance and forgiveness could be proclaimed in your name. You are merciful beyond

measure. I worship you as the Savior of all nations. Your mercy is wide enough for the world.

Your grace reaches farther than human failure. Your name is the only name strong enough to

save. Holy Spirit, I honor you as the power from on high. You are the very presence and power

of God within His people.

A Prayer of Confession

Lord, I confess that I often try to do spiritual work in human strength. I rely on planning,

personality, experience, urgency, and effort while neglecting prayerful dependence on you.

Forgive me for moving when you have told me to wait. Forgive me for waiting when you have

told me to move. Forgive me for confusing busyness with obedience and pressure with

power. There are times I care more about results than faithfulness. There are times I want to

be impressive more than surrendered. There are times I speak before listening and act before

depending. Lord, forgive me for trying to carry what only your Spirit can empower.

A Prayer of Intercession

Lord, I pray for the nations. I pray for people who have never clearly heard the good news of

Jesus. I pray for those trapped in shame, sin, false religion, bitterness, despair, and spiritual

blindness. Let repentance and forgiveness be proclaimed in your name to every people and

place. Strengthen missionaries, pastors, churches, families, and ordinary believers who are

carrying the message of Jesus. Make us witnesses who are clothed with your power, not

merely driven by our own strength.

Closing Prayer

During these last few moments, place the focus of your life before Jesus. Ask Him where you

have been striving in your own strength. Ask Him where He is calling you to wait, pray, and

receive power. Pray slowly: “Holy Spirit, clothe me with power from on high. Make me a

witness of Jesus.” Then rest quietly in His presence.