and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.

after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.

They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, 

‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.

‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 26No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope.

Lord God my Father,

Allow me to be used for your desire. Help me to witness well your delight. Allow your spirit to become powerful over my desires and help the hope you bring to me to be made available to those around me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?”

As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. 

“Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 

As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 

Lord God my Father,

Give me a heart that believes without doubt and open my eyes to your desire no matter how it rest on me. Keep me from fear and doubt. Allow me to see you in all things and follow you with an open mind.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

The next day, on the Sabbath,27:62 Or On the next day, which is after the Preparation. the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate.

The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened.

Then they remembered that he had said this.

But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 12However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look.

for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 

 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” 

A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ 

Lord God my Father,

Make me aware of those who don’t believe the words they speak. Keep me from fear that holds back your desire and help me live in confidence with your teachings even if they sound unbelievable from my limited understanding. Help me to understand your desire for me without question and protect me from falling to temptation.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’23:30 Hos 10:8. 31For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?

“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Lord God my Father,

Keep me safe from my sin nature, help me to see you as you reveal yourself. Give me a heart for others on your terms, not mine and show me the path to paradise to follow.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!

But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.

“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. 16Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

Lord God my Father,

Give me the desire to hear only Truth, keep me from compromise. Help me to be firm in your way and sensitive to the ways of the world. Help me to act on the desires you place on my heart and strength to stand for your way when it may be hard. Protect me from my hypocrisy.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.

Lord God my Father,

Give me discernment to only listen to your Truth and not fall to deceit.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“Abba, Father,”14:36 Abba is an Aramaic term for “father.” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

Lord God my FAther,

Everything is possible with you but help my desires to follow your nature and keep me from asking for my desire but for yours alone. Protect me from deception.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures15:25 Greek in their law. Pss 35:19; 69:4.: ‘They hated me without cause.’

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. 

I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God.16:27 Some manuscripts read from the Father.

Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”

31Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 

Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.

 May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

Lord God my Father,

You are a God of Love and Peace. Allow your spirit to have it’s way in me so I may share you well. Allow your Peace to bring order to my thoughts and keep me from questioning you but to live in unity with you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

“I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?”

 “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! 37For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’22:37 Isa 53:12. Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”

1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 

Lord God my Father,

Help me to identify the conditions I add to how I love, restore my heart to you completely. Keep me from turning away and keep my focus on you alone and cause me to follow you in all things. Give me wisdom and discernment and a Peace that keeps me on your path and a Joy that confirms my desires are true to you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?”

He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” 1

Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”

Lord God my Father,

Keep me from temptation and under your authority. Help me to do your will in every thought and action and deliver me from distraction. Help me to trust your desire above mine.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen