Praying for Sunrise

At sunrise on Easter morning, I sat outside with believers from churches all over Franklin, TN, celebrating the resurrection of Christ. When the service began, clouds chilled the air around me. But as a pastor reminded us that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in us, the clouds scattered into white wisps and golden sunbeams warmed my skin.

It was a lovely and fitting picture of what God was doing in my heart. Jesus, the pastor said, has a way of getting through whatever walls seem to be blocking us from moving toward His purpose for our lives—just as He “magically” came through the walls of a locked room where His disciples gathered after His death.

So right now, my message is simple. In Jesus is all the life, resurrection and hope that you and I need. What God-given dream has died in your heart? Where does the way seem blocked? What is causing discouragement?

Jesus has the answer for all of it. Jesus is the answer. He said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25).

In loneliness or friendship, in deferred hopes or new blessings, He is always about the business of resurrection. Wherever He is, the sun is rising. We have only to look up in expectation, believing even when we do not see.

Pray for:

• The resurrection life of Christ to break through walls of discouragement
• Renewed faith to believe that His plans and purposes will come to pass
• New life to flow into the marriages and friendships of people in your life