2026 April Prayer Corps

This is the season when we focus on the glorious resurrection of Jesus, and rightly so! It is the very foundation of our faith (1Cor 15:12-19). Christ’s resurrection proved His divinity, validated His teachings and the sufficiency of His sacrifice for mankind’s sin, and made possible for every believer the same triumph over sin and death – hallelujah!

During the time Jesus was on earth, the Bible reveals that He was not the only one resurrected from the dead. John chapter 11 unfolds the amazing account of Lazarus of Bethany  being brought back to life. In this one event are many incredible truths: From Jesus’ bold statement, I am the resurrection and the life (v.25) to commanding the gates of Hades and death to release Lazarus, Lazarus come forth! (v.43); the subsequent plot to kill Jesus because of this resurrection (vs.45-57) and even to murder Lazarus as well (Jn 12:9-11).

This unprecedented event opened the eyes and ears of everyone who learned of it, revealing Who Jesus really is and leading many to believe in Him. Yet, in all of this, there was one person who can easily be overlooked but who played a very prominent part – that is Lazarus himself.

Though the Bible does not divulge every detail about Lazarus’ life, death and resurrection, we can safely say that his view of life and the world around him must have been radically altered by what he experienced!

Lazarus likely had such overwhelming gratitude, deeper reverence and more sincere love for the One Who gave him a new life, even perhaps changing his sense of purpose. He likely saw everything around him with new eyes, with the once ordinary becoming extraordinary.

We do not know the specifics about what became of Lazarus, but he undoubtedly lived the rest of his life as a completely changed Christ-follower.

Here is a powerful thought for your contemplation: As believers in Jesus – those who have truly received His finished work and fully surrendered our lives, hearts, desires and bodies, as well as our past and future, to Him in faith – we, too, are to live like the resurrected Lazarus! And because of Jesus, our entire worldview and perspective on this life is forever changed.

We know one day we will perish physically, but we do not fear that day. For we are assured that we are ultimately alive forevermore in Christ (Jn 11.25,26). But that is just part of living a “resurrected life.”

What more does it mean for us to live a “resurrected life”? Here is just some of what the Scriptures reveal to us:

• We who were dead in sin have been raised to spiritual life, and are seated in the heavenlies with Christ – a place of privilege and service, with a Kingdom perspective on life (Eph 2:4-6). This is symbolized in water baptism after salvation (Rom 6:4).
• The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us, bringing His authority, power, anointing and gifts that enable us to live a life of victory over sin – while also equipping us as highly effective agents and ambassadors of His Kingdom work (Rom 8:11-17; 2Cor 5:20).
• The Holy Spirit is continually at work to transform us more into the likeness (character) of Christ, and to use everything we may experience of death, loss, disappointment or failure for that very same purpose as we surrender it all to Him (Phi 3:20,21; 2Cor 3:18).
• The Spirit of God living in us is also our “guarantee,” or down payment, of our full and complete salvation (2Cor 1:22; 5:5; Eph 1:14).
• Through all that Jesus has done for us in granting us resurrection life, we are joined with the, great multitude which no one could number of all nations, tribes, people and tongues standing before the throne and the Lamb, to worship Him forever (Re 7:9,10).

Only Jesus, as God the Son, could resurrect Himself (Jn 10:18). Through His sacrifice and resurrection, He has granted to us exceedingly great and precious promises (2Pet 1:3,4) that roll away the stone of sin and death and allow us to receive His resurrection life.

We do not have the power to resurrect ourselves. We can only receive that gift from Jesus. But this gift requires that we also be active participants in what Christ has granted to us. Here are a few ways that can be done (Col 3:1-5):

• Seek those things which are above (v.1); set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (v.2). Jesus said it this way: Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness [right relationship with Him], and all these things [what you genuinely need in life] shall be added to you (Mt 6:33). Living a resurrection life means, first and foremost, to be Kingdom minded. Though we must live with the daily demands and practicals of this life, we are to bring and apply God’s Kingdom focus, values and priorities to everything we are and do – every day!
  
  
• For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God (vs.4,5; also Col 3:8-10). To truly live a resurrected life, we must daily turn away from a worldly life of compromise, complacency and self-service (Ro 6:1-14). Jesus gives us a clear invitation to die to the things of the flesh and join Him in a new life of resurrection power (Lk 9:23-26).

Lazarus was raised from the dead. He lived the remainder of his life seeing, doing and choosing everything through the viewpoint of a resurrected follower of His Living Savior and Lord. This month, as we once again celebrate our Savior’s resurrection and life, let it be more than just a once-a-year remembrance. Let us bring our whole heart, mind, body and strength to Jesus, and live our lives daily as a bold declaration of our spiritual resurrection through Christ!

As the unrest and very tenuous peace talks continue in Iran and the Middle East, let us continue to pray daily over this region.

Please pray as you are led by the Holy Spirit, and also pray for:

• Holy Spirit born wisdom and revelation to national leaders to guide them to righteous resolution.
• Safety for non-combatants, and for those on the frontlines drawn into this conflict.
• An end to the brutal and senseless executions of Christians and others by the Iranian regime.
• For strength and grace for the Iranian Christians, that they might be wise and bold witnesses to their fellow countrymen.

Pray for conviction and repentance to fall upon the leaders of these nations, and upon the people, as they pursue evil practices, godless agendas and dictatorships against the will of the nationals in these countries.

Please pray for:

• Revival to be poured out on these nations, for they have no hope apart from Jesus Christ.
• Muslims and others to be radically saved and converted to faith in Christ.
• Sweeping changes in governmental leadership, raising up those who will be righteous and use common sense to lead their nations and protect their people.

As the resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated worldwide, please pray for a strong witness of this reality to be boldly declared and revealed, regardless of the persecution or opposition. Pray also for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit in signs, wonders, visions and dreams, along with bold and uncompromising proclamations of the Gospel in every nation!

Thank you for praying with us as we continue the work on the extensive Foundations for Ministry video/audio series on the Holy Spirit. Great progress is being made, so we appreciate you continuing to pray for us!

We have initiated another large print order of The Shepherd’s Staff books to restock our partners in Kenya and Tanzania. Please keep this in your prayers over the next few months.

Let us join together in living the truth of the resurrection of Jesus every day, and declaring to every person, “Christ is Risen!” For in Him we are being raised up in power for this life, and will be raised up with Him one day in the life to come.

He is Risen Indeed!
Dr. Frank and Wendy Parrish, World MAP Executive Directors