Monday - 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

This passage begins with locked doors and fearful hearts. The disciples are hiding, uncertain of what comes next, and afraid of what may happen to them. And that is where Jesus appears. He does not stand outside the room waiting for them to come find Him. He comes and stands among them. Regardless of the condition of your heart today, Jesus still wants to draw near to you.

A Prayer of Adoration

Jesus, I worship You as the One who comes near. You are not distant from fearful hearts. You come with authority, tenderness, and peace. I praise You because You are greater than what I fear. You are steady where I feel shaken. You are calm where I feel restless. You are present where I feel vulnerable. I worship You as the risen Lord who stands among His people and speaks peace.

A Prayer of Confession

Lord, I confess that fear often shapes me more than I want to admit. I can become guarded, hesitant, and unsettled. I can let worry fill my thoughts and control my responses. Forgive me for the ways I have let fear rule my heart. Thank you for your new mercies every morning and your patience with my restless heart.

A Prayer of Petition

Jesus, speak peace into the places where I feel afraid. Come near to me in the rooms of my heart that feel locked and guarded. Meet me in my anxieties, my uncertainties, and the burdens I carry. Teach me not to hide from You in fear, but to open my heart to You. Steady me with Your presence. Calm what is racing within me. Anchor me in the truth that You are here and that I do not face this day alone. Let Your peace become greater than my fear.

Closing Prayer

During these last few moments, bring before Jesus any fear, anxiety, or uncertainty you have been carrying. Tell Him honestly where your heart feels unsettled, and ask Him to stand in the middle of it and speak His peace over you.