Prayer from the Cross, a devotional guide
David Hino
The inspiration for this prayer comes from a special prayer time with Joyce Morey a few days prior to her death in 2014. In our prayer, we listened to what Jesus on the cross was speaking to her. Recently, I recalled some of the specifics of that prayer time and I happened to be reading the crucifixion of Jesus.
Jesus’ final message to us comes while he undergoes an agonizing six hour dying process on the cross. Using his last seven words, this prayer guide has been developed to hear his words more deeply. Read the scripture out loud as you reflect on each topic. This is not a process to be rushed through. The crucifixion took six hours. Take time to meditate on his words, reflect on your life and listen to God.
1. Confess Your Emotional Pain
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:23))
God knows the feeling of being forgotten and rejected. He understands your emotional pain because He has also experienced emotional pain. Often God does not take away the problem but He does promise to help us through the problem.
2. Confess your sin and Declare His Forgiveness
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus died for your sins and declares forgiveness from the cross. “We have now been justified by his blood.” (Romans 5:9)
3. Confess your Fears
…the criminal rebuked the other criminal. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:40-43)
One criminal accepted his fate but was fearful of his future and he asked Jesus for help. Jesus brought peace to his fears by promising to be with him in the future. Are you afraid of your future? Financial uncertainty, job insecurity, lost relationships or health challenges. God promises to be with us.
4. Confess your Family needs
“Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26-27)
Jesus takes time to comfort and care for his mother. God cares for your family. Pray for the individual members of your family and extended family. God’s heart is to “turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents.” (Malachi 4:6)
5. Confess Your Physical Pain and limitations
“I am thirsty” (John 19:28)
Jesus died to heal your physical afflictions. “By his by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:3)
6. Declare His work is Finished
“It is finished!” (John 19:30)
When you lay your worries before God and don’t take them back. Walk in faith. “Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
7. Declare that God is in control of your life
“Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46)
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act.” (Psalm 37:5))
8. Enter the Throne Room of God the Father
Jesus takes us by the hand and presents us to the Father.
Right before the final words from Jesus, the curtain in the temple was supernaturally torn in two (Luke 22:44) and the Holy of Holies was no longer restricted to just the high priest. Jesus’ death on the cross allows us direct access to God the Father.
Spend time with the Father. He wants to embrace you, encourage you, laugh with you, dance with you, and love on you. You are His precious child.
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