Daily Prayer: 04/17

The First saying from the Cross: Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Dear Father in Heaven, we are thankful that the first utterance of Jesus as He was being nailed to the Cross was a prayer for forgiveness for his murderers. He taught that men are to love their enemies and this is a perfect example of the fact that He lived what He taught. We, like Him, turn to you in the midst of our tribulations. Prayer is our first and only real resource for spiritual strength to bear the crushing afflictions of life. Our light burdens cannot begin to compare with the pain of soul that He suffered when the sins of the world were heaped upon Him.

Sometimes, we like the soldiers do not realize what we do that brings grief to you. They were acting in the name of religion, but were totally wrong. Save us, O God, from doing things in the name of the church that would bring dishonor to your Name. We know that although the soldiers drove the nails, we were there. It was not the spikes that really killed Him, but it was our sin.

Today, we rejoice n the cleansing from sin that is possible through the power of the Cross in the person of Jesus the Christ.

Amen.