Today, my thoughts have turned to answered prayers. As I reflected on Easter, I thought about Jesus being the answer to generation upon generation of prayers. And how that answer to all those prayers came in such an unexpected way that many missed the answer. They missed our Savior’s coming, misunderstood or even helped bring about His death and couldn’t believe in His resurrection.
But what a gift Jesus was and is to those of us who, through the touch of the Holy Spirit, have recognized His coming, His death for us and His resurrection to give us new life. As we walk toward Easter weekend and remember Christ’s death on the Cross and His resurrection, may He open our eyes, ears and hearts to recognize the many answers to prayers He has brought. May we also become His answer to the prayers of others as we obey His calling. And may our ears continue to hearken to His promptings to pray in the Spirit for the return of His children and the coming of His Kingdom.
May the beautiful answers He brings us, through His Presence with us, also become answers for others also. May we share the hope and comfort He has given us with those He places before us.
Happy Easter! As you celebrate Jesus this week, may this poem and song encourage and uplift you:
HOPE
Beckoning Hope
Where it was once want
Leading to Light we now see.
Always so near
He never abandons
Ever so patient, remains.
Sending
His palm branch
Blessed of grace that we are.
Coming in splendor
Sun streaming glory
Bathing us here in His Light.
No longer weighted
Our burden Lifter
Always He’s breathing to Life.
Promise in bruisèd
And smoldering wick
He will not break or snuff out.
Justice He brings
In captives He frees
Hope’s strong Voice in us lifts.
Thankful we raise
Our anthem of praise
Casting abandoned our cares.
Raising His children
Hand lifting faces
Shining, His radiance us glows.
Broken, victorious
Guilty, forgiven
No longer shame, here our name.
Called and He’s chosen
Redeemed and belovèd
Nothing His love can destroy.
All dark and hopeless
Purposed for Living
Christ in us be raised.
Our eyes He gives us
“It’s finished” gifts us
Whole and His Perfect to see.
Cocooning safely
Releasing gently
Wings in His timing unfold.
His thoughts above ours
Master’s own brushstrokes
Poema loved, we are His.
Let us not draw back
Hide or strive fearful
But come as children restored.
He will not shun us
Remove or shame us
But only break open to Life.
Give thanks for the bread broken
His Body saved us
Living, His blood in us streams.
Every tear
And every ache
Sin and our weakness, He’s borne.
Search here and know us, Lord
Let Your holiness draw us
Your will in grace, Christ fulfill.
Send us and teach us
Cross here to carry
Your Kingdom come to proclaim.
Comforted, comfort
Loved first, we love
All You have given, we shall release.
Sharpened by iron
Hands clasped together
One in Your Spirit: we each belong.
Let us not shirk
Or fear filled withdraw now
But in Love’s own perfecting grow.
Our battle He’s won
Our hearts now are His
Nothing shall stand in His way.
Heaven rejoices
Cheering us on
Hope beckoning us homeward.