“Woman,’ he said, ‘why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’
John 20:15,16
Each morning as I walk into my kitchen the first thing I see is a sign that reads, “In the morning when I rise give me Jesus”. This sign is a reminder to seek the Presence of God each morning; before I open Facebook, turn on the news or read my email I must spend time in God’s Word.
In light of the COVID-19 world we live in today and knowing that in just a few short weeks we will celebrate Easter – each one of us can understand the cry of Mary Magdalene in John 20:15,16.
Just Give Me Jesus And I’ll Be Okay
Heartbroken over the crucifixion of Jesus, Mary went to His tomb but found it empty. In her desperation to find His body she cried out to the person she thought was the gardener. “Tell me where you’ve put Him. Please just give me Jesus and I’ll be okay.”
How many times in the last few weeks have you cried out to see Jesus – to feel the presence of His Peace that passes all understanding? If you’re anything like me, you’ve cried out more times than you care to admit.
In a world of uncertainty we need to feel the constant certainty of Jesus. We need to feel the love of our Heavenly Father who loved us so much He sent His Son to die on the Cross to save us from your sins. We need to experience the peace of the Holy Spirit whom God gave us to be with us after He called Jesus back to Heaven with Him.
Jesus Is Calling Us By Name
Just like Jesus called Mary by name, He is calling each one of us by name. He is calling us to see His face and feel His presence. When we focus on Him we experience His peace and reassurance that everything is going to be okay.
Jesus Points Us To Our Heavenly Father
When we spend time in God’s Word each morning Jesus points us to our Heavenly Father. He teaches us the truth of who God is and His unending love for us.
In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus teaches us how to pray and experience the presence of our Heavenly Father.
This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:9-13
My friend, whatever you are struggling with – the uncertainty of COVID-19, financial difficulties, health concerns, marriage struggles, a wayward child – join me today in crying out for Jesus and praying the prayer He taught us to pray to our Heavenly Father.
Will you join me today in praying the prayer I’ve written? My hope is that as you pray you will experience God’s peace that passes all understanding.
In His Calm,
A Prayer For Peace
Our Father (my Abba, Heavenly Daddy) hallowed be your name. I honor and praise you for who you are. My rock on whom I stand when the ground beneath me crumbles away. My strength when I am weak, deliverer when I call our for mercy, strong tower when I’m afraid.
Heavenly Father you are my peace when I’m anxious. My calming presence when life is filled with questions. And my hope as I trust in you.
Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Help my eyes stay focused on you and your Heavenly prize. Your will be done in my life today, not what I desire.
Give us (me) today your daily bread. Heavenly Father, you know just what I need for today – your manna of peace, focus, provision, grace, love. Fill my heart, mind and body with your daily bread.
Forgive us (me) our (my) debts as we (I) forgive our (my) debtors. Lord, I confess that daily I give way to sin. Forgive me and help me overcome the sin that so easily entangles. Give me a heart of forgiveness towards those who hurt me.
And lead us (me) not into temptation but deliver us (me) from the evil one. Abba, protect my heart, mind and body from temptations that take my focus off of you as I set my mind on things above, not on things of this earth.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
