Sunday 8 March 2026

Following Jesus Toward Easter – Lent 2026

A Call to Prayer

It has been a difficult week globally. Many of us have watched with concern the news of the bombings in Iran and the rising tensions across the Middle East. With major travel hubs such as Dubai, one of the world’s busiest airports affected, we are reminded how events in one part of the world can quickly ripple across the globe. Behind the headlines are real people, families, and communities living with fear and uncertainty.

At times like this, we are reminded how deeply our world needs wise and compassionate leadership, and how important it is for God’s people to pray and bring the concerns of the world before Him.

As we continue our journey through Lent toward Easter, I invite you, during your daily readings in Week 5 of our reading plan, to spend time in prayer for our world.

In particular, the ongoing tensions and suffering in the Middle East, where conflict and uncertainty continue to affect the lives of many people. These events remind us how deeply our world needs leaders who pursue wisdom, restraint, and a genuine desire for peace.

As you engage with the Scriptures this week, I encourage you to pause and pray for world leaders and decision-makers, asking that God would raise among them servant-hearted leadership, and leaders who seek understanding, justice, and peace among nations.

Let us pray:

• for wisdom in the midst of complex decisions
• for compassion toward those who suffer
• for restraint where there is conflict
• and for pathways toward reconciliation and peace

During Lent, we follow Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who showed us that true leadership is not found in power, but in humble service.

May our prayers join with the prayers of Christians around the world, asking God to guide the nations and bring His peace where it is most needed.

And as we pray for the world, may our own hearts also be shaped by the One we follow, so that step by step we may walk faithfully with Christ on this road that leads through the cross and onward to the hope and joy of Easter morning.

40–Day Reading Plan (2 March – 29 March 2026)

Week 4 – Compassion and Servanthood

Day	Date	Reading	Focus
Sunday	8 Mar	Mark 10:45	The Servant King
Monday	9 Mar	John 13:1–15	Washing Feet
Tuesday	10 Mar	Luke 10:33–37	The Good Samaritan
Wednesday	11 Mar	Matthew 25:34–40	Serving “the Least of These”
Thursday	12 Mar	Philippians 2:1–8	Humility of Christ
Friday	13 Mar	1 Peter 4:8–10	Loving and Serving Others

Week 5 – The Cost of Discipleship

Day	Date	Reading	Focus
Saturday	14 Mar	Luke 14:25–33	Counting the Cost
Sunday	15 Mar	John 12:23–26	The Grain of Wheat
Monday	16 Mar	Romans 12:1–2	Living Sacrifices
Tuesday	17 Mar	Galatians 2:20	Crucified with Christ
Wednesday	18 Mar	Hebrews 12:1–3	Running with Endurance
Thursday	19 Mar	Psalm 51	A Repentant Heart

May these Scriptures become steady footholds along the path, strengthening those who have already begun the climb and welcoming others to step onto the journey today. May they renew hope, deepen faith, and draw each of us closer to Christ.

So, if you are already on the path, keep walking.
If you have paused along the way, begin again.
And if you are just joining the journey, take your first step today.

Together, let us follow Jesus faithfully, all the way to Easter morning.