Easter Prayer Journey
A simple hour of prayer as we prepare for Easter
This prayer journey follows the story of Easter.
✝️ Remember - We begin at the cross, where Jesus gave his life for us.
↪️ Repent - We move into surrender, laying down the things we carry.
🌱 Reflect - We reflect on the new life Jesus is shaping in us.
🤲🏻 Receive - We receive the resurrection life of the Spirit.
🎯 Reach - And finally, we are sent to share God’s love with others.
What you’ll need:
Our prayer journey worksheet (or a notepad if you don’t have this handy)
Bread and juice for Communion
Pens or pencils — coloured ones if you’d like to draw
A device with speakers to play videos and music
Who can join in:
You can do these activities on your own, with others, or with children. They’re designed to be simple and easy to follow, but feel free to adjust the steps or wording to suit your group. You might also prefer to spread them out, doing a step or two each day instead of completing everything in one hour.
Before you begin:
Make your space a quiet, reflective place. Feel free to dim the lights, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, and play some quiet music in the background if you wish.
1. Remember ✝️
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross… - Hebrews 12:2
Everything begins at the cross.
Watch
The Hebrew word often used for ‘remembering’ in Scripture is zakar.
It means more than recalling something in your mind. It means bringing something to the front of your heart again.
Listen
Ask yourself
Where would my life be without Jesus? Take a moment to reflect on all the wonderful things Jesus has done in your life.
Check out the “Remember” section on your prayer journey worksheet. Under “Jesus, thank you for…” write or draw three words that describe how He has blessed or helped you.
Some examples might be: forgiveness, hope, freedom, peace, new life, or you could share special ways Jesus has shown His love to you recently.
Take communion
Take a moment to share communion. If you have children with you, take a couple of minutes to explain what communion is and why it is important.
Break the bread and remember Jesus’ body, given for us in love.
Drink the cup and remember his blood poured out for us, making a way for our forgiveness and restoring us to a relationship with God.
Pray
Thank Jesus for the sacrifice he made on the cross, for laying down his life so that we could be forgiven and reconciled to God.
Thank him for the ways his forgiveness has changed your life, bringing healing, freedom, and the chance to start anew.
Thank him for the hope and future he has given you, a life filled with purpose, peace, and the assurance of his presence every day.
💬 One Word Moment
If you could thank Jesus in one word, what would it be? Write this on your prayer journey worksheet.
2. Repent ↪️
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. - Romans 12:2
The cross invites us to lay down the old way of living.
Watch
The Bible word often translated as repent comes from the Greek word metanoia, which means to change your mind.
It’s not simply feeling sorry for something we’ve done. It’s choosing to see things differently and allowing that change of mind to lead to a change of direction.
If you have children with you, you might like to ask them to:
Face one direction
Turn around
Say ‘Jesus helps us choose a new direction.
Ask yourself
Is there an area of my life where God is gently inviting me to think, feel, or act differently?
It could be an attitude, a habit, a relationship, or even how I see myself or others.
Write a short phrase on your prayer journey worksheet that captures where you sense God calling you to change direction.
Pray
Ask God to help you notice areas where your thinking or actions need to align with His ways.
Pray for a renewed mind that sees situations as He does.
Ask for courage and strength to live differently this week.
💬 One Word Moment
What’s one word that captures a better choice you could make this week? Write this on your prayer journey worksheet.
3. Reflect 🌱
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. - Galatians 2:20
Jesus not only forgives us. He begins to remake us.
Ask yourself
Take a quiet moment to think about ways God has been helping you grow recently.
Where have you noticed change, healing, or a new direction in your life?
Write a short sentence about it on your prayer journey worksheet.
If you have kids with you, ask them: “What is something you can do now that you couldn’t do when you were younger?” (for example: ride a bike, read, swim)
Explain that just like they are learning new skills, God helps grow good things inside us too—like kindness, patience, love, and joy.
Listen
The following song, Formed, has been written and produced by our own Citygate worship team. It’s about being shaped and formed by Jesus every day when we intentionally choose to spend time with Him.
Notice how the lyrics or music make you feel.
Formed - Spotify
Formed - Apple Music
Activity
Use your prayer journey worksheet or a notepad. Divide it into two columns: Before and Now. Write how God has changed a specific area of your life.
Examples:
Before – fear | Now – courage
Before – anger | Now – patience
Before – loneliness | Now – community
Pray
Thank God for the ways he has changed you over time.
Reflect on moments where you have seen God’s faithfulness.
Ask Him to continue shaping your character and growing good things in you.
💬 One Word Moment
Take a moment to think about something good God has helped you do recently.
Write one word on your prayer journey worksheet that describes it.
Examples: kindness, sharing, bravery, patience, forgiveness
4. Receive 🤲🏻
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you…” - Romans 8:11
God doesn’t just forgive us and send us on our way. He fills us with his Spirit - our helper - and gives us life.
Listen
Take a quiet moment to sit still.
You might choose to sit in silence or play this instrumental music as you pray.
Ask God: “Holy Spirit, what would You like to say to me today?”
If you have children with you, they might know this as a “chat and catch” moment — chat with God, and “catch” what He wants to share with you!
Then, on your prayer journey worksheet, either write down the first word that comes to mind or draw a picture of what you sense.
Pray
Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with new life, joy, and strength.
Bring to God something you need help or guidance with today.
Ask God to renew your heart and mind and help you think and feel His love.
💬 One Word Moment
If you could hold one word from God in your heart, what would it be? Write it on your prayer journey worksheet.
5. Reach 🎯
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses… - Acts 1:8
The love we receive from God is meant to flow outward.
Ask yourself
Take a moment to think about people in your life: friends, family, classmates, neighbours, colleagues.
Write the names of three people you want to pray for on your prayer journey worksheet.
Act
Circle one name – Choose one person you want to pray for and share Jesus with.
Take a small step – Think of one small thing you could do this week to show God’s love to them.
Examples:
Send a message to them
Have a conversation
Invite them to Easter
Pray for them regularly
Give them a present
Pray
Pray for God’s Blessing – Ask God to bless these people and help them feel His love and presence every day.
Pray for Opportunities – Ask God to show ways you can encourage and help them.
Pray for Courage – Ask God to give you bravery to share His love with them.
💬 One Word Moment
If you could pray one word for your friends, family, classmates, neighbours, or colleagues this week, what would it be?
Closing Prayer
Look back over what you have written down
✝️ Remember what Jesus has done.
↪️ Surrender what you laid down in repentance.
🌱 Reflect on the new life growing in you.
🤲🏻 Receive the life of the Spirit.
🎯 And step forward into the mission God has given you to reach others.
You might finish with this simple prayer:
Jesus, thank You for loving me so much that You died on the cross for my sins.
Thank You for Your resurrection and the new life You give me.
Please fill my heart with Your love and joy.
Help me be brave and kind, and show Your love to the people around me.
Use me to bring hope, happiness, and Your light to others. Amen.