A Prayer for Palm Sunday Night
A Prayer from Night Owl Prayers: A Prayerbook
Below is an excerpt from Night Owl Prayers: A Prayerbook, a forthcoming book from the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Lee.
A Prayer for Palm Sunday Night
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Christian observance of Holy Week, the holiest time of the church year where the faithful remember Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and subsequent passion and death played out over the course of the week. The story of Palm Sunday is one of exuberant exultation and belief that the Messiah had arrived to take back the holy city of Jerusalem. And then Jesus entered the city on a donkey—hardly the entrance of military might. Yet this statement is clear: Jesus is Lord and Caesar is not.
Scripture: When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. Now as he was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” (Luke 19:29-38)
Prayer:
Strong and merciful God,
In our quest for power, we often miss that your Son came to be our Savior not with military might and conquest but as the Prince of Peace. This evening as I reflect on the first Palm Sunday, I know that Jesus must have been so disappointed in humankind’s response to his entry into Jerusalem all those years ago. Yet even in his disappointment he did not shy away from his mission. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Whether I’m ready or not, holy week is here, dear Lord. Make my heart ready. Amen.