Would I Follow the Crowd?

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 


A crowd played an important role in the crucifixion.

 


Mark 15:12-14 (NIV)
“What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. “Crucify him!” they shouted. “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

Had I been there, would I have followed the crowd? I hope not.

 

Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for mindlessly following the crowd. Teach me to be quick to listen to more than one side of the story, slow to speak without seeking Your wisdom and slow to join a bandwagon of angry people (James 1:19). Let my words and thoughts be pleasing — not to the crowd around me, but to You (Psalm 19:14).

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Would I Follow the Crowd?

Would I Deny Jesus?

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Peter, a faithful disciple of Christ, went wobbly in the face of danger.

 


Matthew 26:71-72 (ESV)
… another servant girl saw him [Peter], and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”

I can’t criticize Peter. In his place, I might have done the same. I’ve been known to soft-pedal my devotion to Christ. I might tell someone I’m religious or mention that I go to church. But sometimes I’m slow to say, “Jesus is my Lord and Savior.”

 

Good morning, Lord. I want folks to know that You are my God, but sometimes I hold back. I don’t want to start an argument, or maybe I’m not in the mood for a long conversation. Forgive me.

Holy Spirit, provide the right words at the right time, and grant me the courage to use them.

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Would I Mock Jesus?

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Even as He hung on the cross, folks mocked Jesus.

Luke 23:35 (NLT)
The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

I’d like to think I wouldn’t have been one of them.

 

Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for the times I tell You what to do, how to run the world. Silly me, thinking I know better than the One who set my planet in motion. Even when things don’t make sense, I know that You see the big picture — over time, involving everyone everywhere — as compared to my tiny sliver. Teach me to trust Your plan, ever and always.

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Would I Mock Jesus?

Where Were You on Easter?

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


“Were you there when
they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me
to tremble, tremble, tremble.”
African-American Spiritual


I’m in my 8th decade of Easter celebrations. It’s tempting to take the crucifixion and resurrection for granted. I’ve been through Holy Week so many times, it seems ho-hum. Sometimes that attitude causes me to tremble.

 

Good morning, Lord. Your death and resurrection … it’s the most significant series of events since creation. Easter should be a drop-to-my-knees-in-awe occasion. Instead, I get caught up in the details of colored eggs, flowers and a fancy meal. Forgive me. Renew my spirit of astonishment, fill my soul with gratitude and joy.

Share
Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Holy Week — Recognize

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Mark 15:39 (MEV)
When the centurion who stood facing Him saw that He cried out and gave up the spirit, he said, “Truly, this Man was the Son of God.”

The Roman soldier overseeing the crucifixion recognized who Jesus was.

 


Good morning, Lord. On Good Friday I am acutely aware that You suffered and died for my sake. At other times, I’m sorry to say, it slips my mind. I take the cross for granted, forgive me. I want to focus on life, not death — and yet, I recognize how much You sacrificed, O God, for my sake. All that I am and have, I owe to You.

Share
Posted in Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Holy Week — Remember

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Right before His crucifixion, Jesus ate the Passover meal with His disciples. They remembered how God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

Today, Christians remember this last supper and the words of Jesus.

Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)
 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

 


Good morning, Lord. Thank You for all the events of Holy Week, all the love You showed, the pain You suffered, the faith You inspired. May I live my life — every day — in remembrance of You, Your sacrifice, Your power and Your love.

Share
Posted in Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Holy Week — Reconnect

Posted on April 1, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Just a few days before His crucifixion, Jesus went to the temple.

 


Matthew 21:13 (NIV)
“It is written,” he said to them [those who were conducting business inside], “‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.'”

God’s sanctuary is a house of prayer, a place where believers connect with God through prayer — individually and corporately. Lent is an ideal time to connect with like-minded Christians, and all together reconnect with God.


Good morning, Lord. I will be meeting with fellow believers this Holy Week. May all of us feel the connection that comes via our unity in faith, may we indeed be one in Christ. As we gather to praise and pray, draw us — individually and collectively — closer to You.

Share
Posted in Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Holy Week — Reconnect

Holy Week – Read

Posted on March 31, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

2 Timothy 2:15 (AMPC)
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

Reading the Bible is always important, but never more important than this last week of Lent. Read the accounts leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection, re-read them, study them, take them to heart.

 

Good morning, Lord. I have heard and read the Scriptures describing the week of Your crucifixion many times. These accounts are never dull or boring. Like Your compassion and love, they are new every morning (Lamentation 3:23). May I give them the attention they deserve, this week and always, amen.

Share
Posted in Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Holy Week – Read

Holy Week — Rejoice

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

The final countdown to Easter begins. Yesterday was Palm Sunday, when we remember Christ’s entry to Jerusalem. The people joyously welcomed him.

 

John 12:13 (NIV)
They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

 

Good morning, Lord. Holy week is hard for me, and I wasn’t the one who lived it. The honor, the betrayal, the fellowship, the disappointment, the joy and the sorrow — so much emotion and contradiction packed into a few days. What are the lessons You have for me this year? Open my ears, my eyes, my mind and my heart. 

 

Share
Posted in Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Holy Week — Rejoice

Recommitment to Our First Love

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Revelation 2:4 (NASB)
But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

 

Does this powerful statement from Revelation apply to me?
To you?

 


Good morning, Lord. There are hours, days and seasons when I operate on autopilot. During those times, I forget that You are my first love, forgive me. Rekindle that love and wrap it with perseverance. I commit this day to You — grant me the wisdom to serve You well.

Share
Posted in Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments