Throughout 2023, the first prayer guide of each month is being written by Michael "Sully" Sullivan. Periodically, we'll pull Sully in for a podcast to set up that prayer guide. This week, Brian and Sully will talk through Psalm 71 and the importance of Holy Week in the rhythm of the church, how the Psalms can frame up Holy Week, and then how we can enter into the prayer guide together this week. In the West, we've often been so wrapped up in Palm Sunday, maybe Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, that we miss the beauty of Jesus's actions through the other days. Further, we rarely if ever explore how the Old Testament prepares us for the story. We hope this episode will send you on a journey of exploration in the Pslams and the surrounding narrative of Jesus's suffering, death, burial, and Resurrection. 

Below, the titles for each day of the week are links to posts about that day, and I have included lines from each Psalm that complement the events of the day:Holy Week: The Final Days of Jesus   Palm Sunday (April 2): Jesus Rides into Jerusalem Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (20: This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.) Monday (April 3): Jesus Cleanses the TemplePsalm 36:5-11 (8: They feast on the abundance of Your house)   *Tuesday (April 4): Jesus Teaches in the TemplePsalm 71:1-14 (4: Deliver me, my God, from hand of wicked)  Wednesday (April 5): The Sanhedrin Plot to Kill Jesus Psalm 70 (1: Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, LORD, to help me.)  Maundy Thursday (April 6): Jesus Participates in Passover w/ DisciplesPsalm 116:1-2, 12-19 (13-15: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His faithful servants.) Good Friday (April 7): Jesus Dies on the Cross for the Life of the WorldPsalm 22 (1, 16-19, 24: My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? ... They pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. But You, LORD, do not be far from me ... For He has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from Him but has listened to His cry for help.)  *Holy Saturday (April 8): Jesus Confront Hades & Harrows Hell As We WaitPsalm 31:1-4, 15-16 (1: In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in Your righteousness.