Theme

It is Easter morning, and He has risen! Today, we celebrate not only the resurrection of Jesus but also our identity in Him. Through Christ’s victory over sin and death, we are transformed—no longer defined by our past but marked by His righteousness, grace, and new life. Our identity is now hidden securely with Christ, and our hearts are set on heavenly realities. Let's embrace our newness in Him, fully alive, and deeply anchored in His resurrection power.

Scriptures

2 Corinthians 5:21 -

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Ephesians 2:4-6 –

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."

2 Corinthians 5:17 -

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Colossians 3:1-4 -

“Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."

Theme

The spaces in between the busy times allow us to find rest and restoration. It can be uncomfortable when we are not sure what is going to happen next, but you expect that something new is on the horizon! Enter rest with the Lord today as you wait in anticipation Christ's return!

Scriptures

Mark 6:31-32 –

“And he said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves."

Psalm 46:10 –

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!”

Isaiah 40:31 –

“But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary;

they will walk and not faint. For the Lord will renew their strength.”

Psalm 23:1-3 –

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

Theme

I could imagine how crushing it was for Jesus’ disciples and family to watch him die. In that moment it looked like darkness won and they didn’t know that resurrection was on the other side of death. Jesus gave his disciples a promise and though they couldn’t understand or see how it could be possible, it didn’t make it any less true. Many of you are battling spiritual warfare and it looks like darkness is winning, but spiritual warfare does not void out the promises God has made to you. Those promises were made out of love, and love believes all things and hopes all things. Today’s meditation is about focusing on God’s promises when things look bleak.

Scriptures

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”

1 Corinthians 13:7

“Love believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Romans 6:4

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Theme

Jesus’ sacrifice invites us to lay down our own lives in service to God and others. As we identify with His ultimate sacrifice, we are called to live sacrificially.

Scriptures

Luke 22:42 –

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

Romans 12:1 –

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."

Luke 9:23 –

"Then he said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."

Philippians 3:8 –

"What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ."

Theme Humility is not merely thinking less about ourselves, but opening to Jesus to be fully vulnerable at the risk of our reputation. Jesus showed ultimate humility by giving up His divine nature to become human like us. In today’s prayer practice, let’s examine how we can identify with Christ’s humility in our own lives.

Theme

Christ desires deep, sacrificial love and unity within His body. This day focuses on love as the foundation of community. Love is distinct from compassion as it is a desire to draw close to another in unity.

Scriptures

John 13:34-35 –

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

Ephesians 4:1-3 –

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

1 John 4:7-8 –

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."

John 15:4-5 –

"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine."

Jesus demonstrated boundless compassion throughout His life, especially toward the broken, the hurting, and the lost. This meditation and listening prayer exercise teaches us how we can walk in Jesus' footsteps by incorporating compassion into our lives.

Scriptures:

Matthew 9:36 –

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a

shepherd."

Luke 19:41-42 –

"As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it..."

Isaiah 53:3 –

"He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain."

Colossians 3:12 –

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

Lectio Divina Prayer:

Jesus, You saw the crowds and had compassion on them instead of judgment. You wept for the brokenness of your people and carried our pain as your own. You know what it feels like to be

rejected, to suffer and ache for healing. And yet, you responded not with distance, but with love. Clothe me with Your heart of mercy, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Teach me to pause and respond to others with

kindness as I see them through your eyes.

Desert Grace is a contemplative space of prayer, worship, and whole-person healing. Join us as we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, and discover that even in our driest moments, we are held, we are loved, and we are being transformed into the image of Christ.