Holy Week, Monday – Very Rev. Prof. Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN.
*Holy Monday: Prayer For Cleansing & Nearness To Christ*
O Eternal God, Lord of Mercy and Righteousness, I come before You on this Holy Monday, the day when Christ, the Living Word, entered the temple and cleansed it, driving out all that defiled the sacred space, purify me; cleanse my heart today; let no corruption remain within me; and let no idol stand where You alone must reign. Lord God, as the shadow of Calvary stretches across this week, let me not shrink back from its weight. Open my eyes to the mystery of the passion of Christ. Let me behold what it cost Christ to free me; grant this Holy Week to become a threshing floor, where chaff is burned and wheat remains.
Lord Jesus, O Consuming Fire, let Your gaze be like fire; let nothing unclean endure in the sanctuary of my soul; tear down every idol, hidden or known within or around me. Lord Jesus, Ancient Flame who never dims, let the fire and zeal to do Your will burn within me and all mine, that I may be a vessel consecrated for worship; and refine me with the fire of repentance, blotting out every besetting sin that Satan holds against me.
Jesus, the Righteous One, the Servant of God, the Light of the World, as You walked toward the Cross with unwavering purpose, give me the strength to walk in obedience and the race to walk the narrow road behind You. Lord Jesus, let this Lenten journey strip away all that is not of You, emptying me of pride, selfish ambition, hidden iniquities, and distractions that pull me away from Your voice. Let my soul be a house of prayer, not a dwelling for sin or complacency.
Lord Jesus, let me not be like the barren and deceitful fig tree that will bear no fruit; instead, cultivate within me the fruits of righteousness — love, faith, humility, and surrender; and when You draw near, let there be something in me worth receiving; let love rise; and let humility take root.
Lord God, Almighty, let my life testify that Christ has passed this way; let my life bear witness to Your grace; and let my words, thoughts, and actions be offerings of praise. Teach me to carry my cross, to embrace the suffering that refines, and to walk in the footsteps of Christ, my Redeemer.
O Merciful God, in this solemn week, prepare me to stand at the foot of Calvary with a heart made new. Let me not pass through this season unchanged. Draw me deeper into the mystery of Your passion, the wonder of Your mercy, and the victory of Your resurrection. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, the Eternal King, the Amen.
*The Patriarch’s Note.*
Our prayer for cleansing and nearness to Christ conveys a deep yearning for spiritual renewal and dedication to following in Jesus’ footsteps during this Holy Week.
To complement our heartfelt prayer, here are some resonating Bible verses that align with the themes of cleansing, renewal, and seeking proximity to Christ:
*KEY VERSES for “Prayer for Cleansing & Nearness to Christ”:*
- *Psalm 51:10-12*
*_“Create a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”_*
- *James 4:8*
*_“Draw near to God, and He will draw near you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”_*
- *1 John 1:7*
*_“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”_*
- *Isaiah 61:1*
*_“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me Because the LORD has anointed Me to proclaim good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”_*
- *Hebrews 12:1-2*
*_“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”_*
These verses encourage us to seek God’s cleansing power, reflect on our commitment to His path, and stand firm in our faith as we walk through this sacred season.
*_May this prayer and the accompanying Scriptures guide you in drawing closer to Christ, experiencing His cleansing power, and deepening your faith during this Holy Week, in Jesus’ Name. AMEN._*
God bless you abundantly as you journey through this solemn yet hopeful time.
