Tuesday - 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

The turning point in this encounter comes with a single word: “Mary.” Jesus did not

begin with a long explanation. He did not first untangle every question in her mind. He

simply called her by name. And in that moment, everything changed.

Today, let your heart rest in this truth: the risen Jesus knows your name. He knows your

story. And His voice is still able to quiet fear, heal insecurity, and anchor your identity in

His love.

A Prayer of Adoration

Lord Jesus, I worship You as the Shepherd who knows His sheep by name.

I praise You because Your love is personal and Your care is attentive.

You are not distant from the details of my life. You are not indifferent to what I carry.

You are not too great to notice me and not too exalted to draw near to me.

I praise You for the tenderness of Your heart.

I praise You for the way You see what others miss.

I praise You because You know me fully — my strengths, my weaknesses, my fears, my

story, my need — and You still call me Your own.

What a Savior You are! Strong enough to conquer the grave, yet gentle enough to

speak one name and steady a trembling heart.

I adore You for Your faithfulness. I adore You for Your kindness.

I adore You because there is no one like You.

A Prayer of Confession

Lord, I confess that I often live as though I am defined by other voices.

I listen to fear. I listen to insecurity. I listen to shame and comparison.

Too often I allow my heart to be shaped by what others think, by what I feel in the

moment, or by the labels I have picked up along the way.

Forgive me for forgetting that Your voice is the truest voice in my life.

Forgive me for allowing lies to speak louder than Your love.

Forgive me for seeking identity in performance, approval, success, or control.

Forgive me for living as though I am unseen, when all along I have been fully known by

You.

Quiet every false voice that has taken root in me.

Teach me to listen again for Your voice above all others.

A Prayer of Promise

Jesus, today I choose to believe what is true.

I choose to believe that I am known by You.

I choose to believe that I am not forgotten.

I choose to believe that Your voice is trustworthy and Your love is steady.

When fear tries to name me, I will remember that You are with me.

When shame tries to own me, I will remember that You alone define me.

When insecurity rises, I will remember that my life is held in Your care.

Anchor my identity in Your love. Teach my heart to rest in what You say is true.

Help me live today as one who is seen, known, and loved by You.

Closing Prayer

Jesus did not address Mary as a stranger in a crowd. He called her tenderly by name.

His love for you is not vague; it is knowing, attentive, and near. During these last few

moments, ask Jesus to quiet every false voice that has tried to pull you away from

intimacy with the Father. Let Him remind you who you are in Him, and rest in the truth

that He knows you by name.