My Lord, I marvel that, fully God, you also became fully man, and were willingly crucified on a Roman Cross for my sins. The empty tomb calls forth my adoring wonder, for thou art indeed risen. The four-fold gospel attests it, the living witnesses prove it, and my heart’s experience knows it.

Lord, there is much of the flesh within me. Crucify it. Let me die with thee that I may rise to new life. I wish to be delivered from the Evil One, dead to the sin and lusts of this world. Grant me to stand with my Savior, my old life counted dead because of the crucifixion. Let me willingly take up truth, however unpopular, and be content when rejected. Let me be resolutely identified with Christ, holding fast until death, never wandering from the path of obedience to thy will.

Fortify me for the battles ahead. Give me courage for the trials and grace for the joys. Help me to be holy and grateful, free from all wrong desire, from everything contrary to your will. Grant me more and more of the resurrection life. May it rule me. May I walk in its power and be strengthened under its influence. Amen.

Adapted from The Valley of Vision, Arthur Bennett (1915 – 1994)

#Easter2025