12 April 2025

Moments of meditation for Holy Week

As you prepare for Easter, journey through the coming days with this prayer plan.

Palm Sunday – Your triumph

Read Matthew 21:1–11

Celebrate the Saviour, just as the crowds gathered to welcome, greet and praise Jesus upon his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As you reflect on the crowds, pray for the strength to engage in worship fully, not just as passive observers but as active participants. Reflect on how you can boldly engage in praising God, not only in moments of celebration, but also through the challenges you face.

Heavenly Father, on this Palm Sunday, we come before you with hearts full of praise, remembering the triumphant entry of your Son, Jesus, into Jerusalem. We thank you for his sacrifice, his love and his unwavering commitment to your will. As we grasp our palms and triumphantly wave them as a symbol of our praise, Lord, we ask that you stop us simply standing by and observing. Instead, may we actively engage in worship with our whole lives. May our songs of adoration not just echo from our lips but resound in our hearts and in all that we do. Let our worship be a living, breathing expression of our faith, where our hands and feet follow where you lead.

In the Gospels of Mark and Luke we can read details regarding the owners of the donkey and its colt. Jesus instructed his disciples to tell anyone who questions them that ‘the Lord has need of it’ (Mark 11:3 English Standard Version). The magnificent moment easily missed in this passage is the owners’ response. Luke 19:33–35 says: ‘And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it’ (ESV). The owners’ instant reaction, requiring no thought or discussion, was sacrifice.

What would you be willing to give up, with no wrestle, for the Lord?

Holy Monday – Your focus

Read Matthew 21:12–22

Consider Jesus going to the Temple and finding it had become a place of exploitation, greed and distraction from its true purpose as a house of prayer. Reflect on the things in your life that may be a stumbling block to your walk with the Lord – the things that distract you and take away your attention. Instead focus on the things that enhance sincerity in worship and the sanctity of God’s house.

Father, we come before you today acknowledging that our hearts are often distracted and our minds pulled in many different directions. Just as Jesus cleansed the Temple, we ask you to cleanse our hearts and reveal the areas in our lives where distractions, materialism, selfishness and worldly pursuits have taken priority over our relationship with you. We ask that you refocus our attention on what truly matters. Teach us to honour your house, not just in a physical space but in our hearts, where your Spirit dwells. May we approach you with humility, reverence and a desire to worship you in spirit and truth.

Matthew 21:15 and 16 says: ‘But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”’ (English Standard Version). The often-overlooked moment in this passage is that the children had more clarity and knowledge of Jesus than the chief priests and scribes.

Where can you humble yourself to learn from those younger or less knowledgeable than you?
Through whom and by what unexpected avenues could God be revealing himself to you?

Holy Tuesday – Your strength

Matthew 21:23 to 25:46

Think about Jesus spending time on the Mount of Olives, urging his disciples to live with expectancy and faithfulness, and remain prepared for both the challenges ahead and the ultimate return of Christ. Pray for the inspiration to live a life of selfless love and service, and guidance on how to reflect the heart of Christ in all that you do.

Loving God, thank you that you are with us through the peaks and troughs. In times of joy, you are our strength and in times of struggle you are our comfort. Help us to remain faithful to you, no matter what we face. Guide us to walk in your ways, trusting that you are with us always. As we think about your sacrifice, we also trust that we can count on your promised return when we will join you for ever. Lord, stir in us the courage to take up our crosses daily, to walk with you through the highs and lows of life. Empower us to live out the message of love and humility that Jesus showed us.

Holy Wednesday – Your example

Matthew 26:1–16

Think about when Jesus and his disciples gathered for the significant Passover meal. It would have been a familiar practice for the disciples, yet Jesus gave the elements a whole new meaning to represent his sacrifice for the salvation of all. Jesus gave the instruction to love one another, while showing welcome and grace to all, including Judas. Consider how this act calls us to remember his sacrifice and live in obedience. Pray for how you can reach out to others with the same inclusivity and compassion.

Lord Jesus, as we reflect on the powerful moment when you gathered with your disciples for the Passover meal, we are humbled by how you offered your body and blood for the salvation of all. Thank you for being the ultimate Passover lamb, whose death brings freedom from sin. In that sacred moment, you not only showed us the depth of your sacrifice but also called us to love one another, extending grace even to those who would betray you. Help us to live in obedience to your command to love, offering welcome and compassion to all, just as you did. Grant us wisdom to open our hearts, to reach out with inclusivity, and to extend invitations to those around us who may need to experience your love. May we follow your example and reflect your love in every action.

Maundy Thursday – Your humility

Matthew 26:17–75

Contemplate the humble service of Jesus in washing the dirty feet of the disciples during the Last Supper. In the world, authority and leadership take the form of ruling over and domineering others. In stark contrast, Kingdom authority and leadership requires its citizens to humble themselves and serve others. Reflect on the importance of humility, selflessness and serving others, and consider how you can embody that same servant-hearted love in your own life.

Gracious God, as you humbled yourself by washing the feet of your disciples, you showed us the true heart of servant leadership and the power of humility. Teach us to follow your example, embracing selflessness and love in all that we do and serving others with a heart of grace. Show us how to live sacrificially and extend ourselves to the poor, the outcast and those who suffer around the world. May we remember that true greatness in your Kingdom comes through serving, and let our lives reflect this radical love and humility.

Matthew 26:69–71 says: ‘Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”’ (English Standard Version). On two occasions Peter was called to account by a servant girl. It’s reasonable to consider that, though these girls had observed Peter, he was unaware of them. Like Peter, we too will be observed by people as we live under this banner of ‘follower of Christ’, and may be held to account when our actions do not align with the Master we follow.

Do your actions reflect Jesus well to onlookers?
Where do we deny Jesus with our actions when we think no one is watching?

Good Friday – Your sacrifice

Matthew 27:1–61

Jesus was put on trial, then mocked, beaten, flogged and crucified. Consider the price of your redemption, remembering that Jesus’ suffering and death were necessary for us all to be forgiven and reconciled to God. Take time to reflect on how his sacrifice calls you to live in gratitude, humility and obedience. Reflect on how Jesus’ death was not the end, but the beginning of victory. Pray for those who do not know about the eternal life and salvation that Jesus offers.

Father God, how can we thank you enough for the sacrifice of your Son on the cross of Calvary? We stand in awe of your incredible plan of salvation and are filled with joy, knowing that through Jesus we can have a relationship with you and live in your presence for ever. Our hearts ache for those who don’t yet know your truth, and we yearn for them to experience the redemption and new life that only Christ offers. Today we pray for those still far from you, asking that the gospel would reach their ears and that their hearts would be softened, ready to receive the hope found in Jesus. Thank you, Lord, for the sacrifice of Good Friday, which helps us to experience the depth of your love and grace. Teach us all to call on your name as Jesus did, for we live by your strength not our own.

Holy Saturday – Your promises

Matthew 27:62–66

Reflect on the silence and waiting of Holy Saturday, as the disciples and followers of Jesus were in sorrow and uncertainty. Consider how God works even in moments of loneliness, grief and pain. Pray for strength when facing the darkness, and for hope to see the light that Christ offers. Meditate on the coming Resurrection, the triumph over death, and how to prepare your heart to celebrate the new life we have in Christ.

Father God, help us to remember that us that even in dark times, your promises are sure. Thank you for your unwavering presence, which brings light to our paths and peace to our hearts. When we feel lost or overwhelmed, remind us that you are near, walking with us through every trial and hardship. Help us to trust in your strength and find hope, knowing that you will never leave us, even in our darkest hours. Thank you that Jesus’ death and burial are not the end, but the fulfilment of his promise of resurrection.