On Good Friday, Jesus cried, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ (Matthew 27:46). In the darkest of moments, our faith can be tested. Over the Easter season, our global team share their reflections on how God has remained faithful. Over the next two weeks, pray for our humanitarian workers responding in challenging situations.
Sunday 24 March
Throughout the Bible, God is described as a ‘rock’: faithful, dependable, never-changing. One of the Bible's overarching storylines is about a God who rescues his people time after time. Give thanks that Holy Week is ultimately about the triumph of love over death, offering hope to the millions still suffering because of poverty and injustice.
Monday 25 March
‘Living and working in a post-genocide Rwanda is challenging,’ says Emmanuel Murangira, who leads Tearfund’s work there. ‘But it can also be profoundly humbling to see what God is able to do in situations that are humanly impossible.’ Pray that God’s hand will be in the plans for 7,000 churches in Rwanda to become places of transformation and where people can be freed from poverty.
Tuesday 26 March
Join in the prayer Emmanuel spoke when he started at Tearfund: ‘Let me be your hands and feet among those in need of your divine providence. Not to be a provider, but to serve what you have provided. Not to be seen, but to cause those I serve to see you. Not to be commended, but to cause them to glorify you!’
Wednesday 27 March
‘When I look around at the increase in people forced from their homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the violence that is seemingly spiralling out of control, I often find myself despairing,’ says Aaron Wolcott, from Tearfund’s team in the DRC. ‘But in the midst of suffering, Jesus stands alongside us. He comforts us and offers us hope of healing and restoration.’ Pray that Aaron and the team will feel the presence of Jesus as they carry out their work.
Thursday 28 March
‘Good Friday reminds us that Jesus is familiar with our suffering,’ says Aaron. ‘The injustices and violence that the Congolese face are not foreign to Jesus. He carried our suffering on the cross [Isaiah 53], and by his wounds we are healed.’ Pray that the church will be salt and light and help bring lasting peace to the DRC.
Good Friday 29 March
‘With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last... And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”’ Mark 15:37, 39 Give thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and ask how you can better acknowledge him in your own life.
Saturday 30 March
The early Christians renewed their baptismal vows on the day before Easter Sunday. Read through these baptismal vows and renew your commitment to following Jesus today:
Do you turn to Christ?
I turn to Christ.
Do you repent of your sins?
I repent of my sins.
Do you renounce evil?
I renounce evil.
