Thursday - 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

When Mary finally recognized Jesus, her instinct was to hold on tightly. That response

makes perfect sense. After the sorrow of the cross and the shock of the empty tomb,

she had found Him again. And yet Jesus gently redirected her. He was showing her

that the relationship was not going backward to what it had been before—something

new had begun. Mary could not stay in that moment of personal comfort, because

Jesus was calling her forward into trust, obedience, and mission.

So if the Lord is loosening your grip on something today — an expectation, a season, a

fear — do not assume He is being harsh. He may be leading you into something

deeper than what you are trying to hold on to.

A Prayer of Adoration

Jesus, I praise You because Your ways are always wise and good.

You know what I need better than I do.

You know when to comfort me and when to call me forward.

You know when to let me rest and when to ask me to trust You in a new way.

I worship You as the risen Lord who leads with tenderness and authority.

You are never careless with my heart. You are never confused about what You are

doing.

You are never late, never unkind, and never uncertain.

I praise You because every direction You give is shaped by wisdom and love.

I praise You because You do not leave me trapped in what is familiar when You are

calling me into deeper life.

You are a good Shepherd. You are a faithful Lord. You are worthy of my trust.

A Prayer of Petition

Lord, show me where I am clinging too tightly.

Reveal the places where I want comfort more than obedience.

Show me what I am trying to hold on to that You are asking me to surrender.

Teach me to open my hands before You. Teach me not to confuse attachment with

trust.

Teach me to follow You when You lead me somewhere unfamiliar.

Give me grace to surrender what I cannot control.

Give me courage to obey even when obedience costs me something.

Give me peace in the place where letting go feels difficult.

Lord, loosen my grip where I have held on too tightly.

Free me from fear of change. Free me from the illusion of control.

Free me from the belief that obedience will leave me empty.

Help me believe that Your will is good, Your plans are wise, and Your presence is

enough.

A Prayer of Promise

Jesus, today I choose to trust that Your way is better than mine.

I choose to believe that surrender is safe with You.

I choose to believe that what You ask me to release is not greater than what You are

doing in me.

I choose to believe that when You call me forward, You do not leave me behind.

You go with me. I place my future in Your hands. I place my fears in Your hands.

Strengthen my heart to walk in trustful obedience.

Make me willing, yielded, and ready to follow where You lead.

Closing Prayer

Mary’s love for Jesus was real, but Jesus was calling her to trust Him with a new

direction. During these last few moments, ask the Lord to show you what you may be

clinging to instead of surrendering. Is there an area of life you have been sensing God

leading you in a new direction, but fear and worry have held you back? Ask the Lord to

give you clarity, and the faith to follow Him.