Tuesday - Because He Lives

Welcome to Daily Prayer. This is Week 3 of the Because He Lives series — encounters with the risen Jesus. This week we pray through the encounter Jesus had with the disciples as they were hiding in fear, and with his unique interaction with Thomas. Let us quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord. Father, today we give everyone and everything to you.

John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

A Word of Encouragement

When Jesus appeared to His disciples, He showed them His hands and His side. That matters. The peace He spoke was not shallow encouragement or denial of pain. It was peace purchased through His suffering. The wounds were real, but they no longer spoke of defeat. They now testified that sin had been paid for, death had been conquered, and reconciliation with God had been secured.

A Prayer of Adoration

Jesus, I worship You as the crucified and risen Lord. I praise You that the wounds You bore were wounds of love. Your hands and Your side testify to the cost of my redemption. Your suffering was not wasted. Your sacrifice was not in vain. You are glorious in Your resurrection and beautiful in Your mercy. I worship You because the peace You give has been secured by Your blood and sealed by Your victory over death.

A Prayer of Thankfulness

Thank You, Jesus, for the cross. Thank You for bearing sin, shame, and judgment in my place. Thank You that Your wounds speak forgiveness, not condemnation, over those who belong to You. Thank You that because You suffered, I can be reconciled to God. Thank You that because You rose, peace is possible. Thank You that my hope rests on what You have already accomplished.

A Prayer of Petition

Lord, help me live in the peace You have purchased. When my conscience accuses me, remind me of Your wounds. When shame tries to return, remind me what You have paid for. When life feels unstable, anchor me again in the finished work of Christ. Teach me to receive the peace You freely give. Let the cross become more precious to me, and let Your love steady my heart more deeply each day.

Closing Prayer

During these last few moments, reflect on the hands and side of Jesus. Thank Him for the wounds He bore for you, and ask Him to anchor your heart in the peace He purchased through His death and resurrection. Allow His intense suffering to remind you how much He loves you and wants a close relationship with you.