Monday - Because He Lives

Welcome to Daily Prayer. This is week 1 of a 7-week journey, following Jesus for the 50

days between the resurrection and Pentecost. We will pray through seven different

encounters with the risen Jesus. As we begin our time together, let’s quiet our hearts

and minds before the Lord.

Consider putting to memory John 20:31 as we take this journey together:

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,

and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

This week we look at Jesus’ first interaction after His resurrection: Mary Magdalene.

Mary first met Jesus when he set her free from the torment of multiple demons. She

became a faithful follower of Jesus, providing support for his ministry from her own

resources. And when others were running in fear, Mary is seen at the foot of the cross,

watching her Lord be crucified. Her encounter with Jesus at the tomb is one of the

most tender moments in the Gospels.

John 20:11-18

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look

into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had

lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you

weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know

where they have laid him.”

14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus

standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why

are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she

said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I

will take him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me,

for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am

ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary

Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he

had said these things to her.

A Word of Encouragement

Mary stood outside the tomb and wept. She went to the place she felt she could get as

close as possible to the Lord she loved so much. And it was there, in that place of

heartbreak and confusion, that Jesus revealed himself. The places in your heart that

still ache, the prayers that still feel tender, the losses that still feel heavy — these are

often the very places where Jesus reveals His tenderness most clearly.

A Prayer of Lament

Lord Jesus, I come before You honestly today.

I come without trying to clean up my emotions or hide the weight I have been carrying.

You already know the places where my heart is tired.

You know the griefs I can name and the griefs I can barely explain.

You know the losses, the disappointments, the unanswered questions, and the quiet

ache that sometimes lingers beneath the surface.

Like Mary, I have known what it is to stand in sadness, unsure of what You are doing

and unsure of how to move forward.

There are places in me that feel tender. There are memories that still hurt.

There are burdens I have tried to carry silently.

There are tears I have held back because I did not know what to do with them.

But today I bring them to You.

Lord, meet me here. Meet me in the ache.

Meet me in the part of my heart that still hurts. Be near to me, Jesus.

A Prayer of Petition

Lord, teach me to stay near You in seasons of grief.

When I am tempted to shut down, draw me back to Your presence.

When I feel confused by what You are doing, keep me from believing that You have left

me alone.

When my sorrow clouds my vision, give me grace to trust that You are still near.

Help me not to run from You when life feels heavy.

Help me not to numb what You are inviting me to bring before You.

Give me courage to pray honestly. Give me faith to wait in Your presence.

Give me strength for the places where I feel weak and worn down.

Steady my heart, Lord. Hold me together where I feel scattered.

Remind me that You are not absent from my pain.

Teach me to find refuge in You.

A Prayer of Thankfulness

Jesus, thank You that You are gentle with the brokenhearted.

Thank You that You are not impatient with weakness.

Thank You that You do not turn away from those who weep.

Thank You that I do not have to perform strength in order to be loved by You.

Thank You that Your resurrection means pain is not permanent and sorrow is not the

final word.

Closing Prayer

Mary’s tears were not a barrier to Jesus; they were part of the place where He met her.

You do not need to hide your sorrow in order to come to Him. During these last few

moments, bring to Jesus the specific places where your heart is grieving, disappointed,

or weary.

Tell Him honestly where you need His comfort.

May your heart too be healed as He ministers to you in this time together.