A Prayer for Easter: He Bursts the Bands of Death

Happy Easter!  He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!

The Apostle Paul reminds how central the resurrection of Christ is to our faith. It is so vital, that without it our faith would be meaningless.

“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain,” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14, ESV).

Not only that we, Paul points out those who teach the resurrection of Christ would misrepresent God.

“We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied,” (1 Corinthians 15:15-19, ESV).

That isn’t the case, however, Christ did rise from the tomb. He did defeat death. He did defeat sin. We have a living Savior!

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall be made alive,” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, ESV).

Christ burst the bands of death! I want to leave you with a written prayer from The Valley of Vision as we are all, for the most part, worshipping at home this Easter. The Valley of Vision is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions. Written prayers that we can pray aloud can provide us with variety and remind us of things we should be thankful for.

The prayer below is appropriate I believe as we worship our risen King! A fact that overshadows every hardship we may endure during this pandemic.

O GOD OF MY EXODUS,

Great was the joy of Israel’s sons when Egypt died upon the shore,

Far greater the joy when the Redeemer’s foe lay crushed in the dust.

Jesus strides forth as the victor, conqueror of death, hell, and all opposing might;

He bursts the bands of death, tramples the powers of darkness down, and lives for ever.

He, my gracious surety, apprehended for payment of my debt, comes forth from the prison house of the grave free, and triumphant over sin, Satan, and death.

Show me herein the proof that his vicarious offering is accepted, that the claims of justice are satisfied, that the devil’s sceptre is shivered, that his wrongful throne is levelled.

Give me the assurance that in Christ I died, in Him I rose, in His life I live, in His victory I triumph, in His ascension I shall be glorified.

Adorable Redeemer,

Thou who wast lifted up upon a cross
art ascended to highest heaven.

Thou, who as man of sorrows wast crowned with thorns,
art now as Lord of life wreathed with glory.

Once, no shame more deep than Thine, no agony more bitter, no death more cruel.

Now, no exaltation more high, no life more glorious, no advocate more effective.

Thou art in the triumph car leading captive Thine enemies behind Thee.

What more could be done than Thou hast done!

Thy death is my life, Thy resurrection my peace,

Thy ascension my hope, Thy prayers my comfort.