How to Prepare Your Heart for Easter: A Holy Week Checklist
Making Room for Resurrection Joy
Easter Sunday is the heart of the Christian faith—our celebration of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. But just like you don’t celebrate a wedding without weeks (or months!) of preparation, the joy of Easter shines brightest when it is preceded by prayerful, intentional preparation. That’s what Holy Week is for.
Holy Week, the final week of Lent, is not just a historical remembrance of Jesus’ final days—it’s a spiritual journey. From Palm Sunday’s procession to the quiet waiting of Holy Saturday, each moment is an invitation to walk more closely with Christ, to examine our hearts, and to make space for the new life He offers.
If you want Easter to be more than just a Sunday full of pastel eggs and family meals—if you want your soul to awaken to the resurrection power of Jesus—then let this Holy Week Checklist guide you.
Your Holy Week Heart Checklist
This isn’t about adding pressure or “spiritual to-dos.” It’s a gentle rhythm—a path you can follow to draw nearer to the Cross and Resurrection. Whether you’re a seasoned Christian or rediscovering your faith, this checklist can meet you right where you are.
1. Enter Holy Week Intentionally (Palm Sunday)
Read: Matthew 21:1–11
Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, greeted with cheers of “Hosanna!”
Reflect:
- Do I truly welcome Jesus as King in my life, or only when things are easy?
- What areas of my heart need to be laid down like palm branches before Him?
Practice:
- Attend a Palm Sunday service.
- Make a palm cross and place it in a visible place at home.
- Begin the week with a journal entry: “Jesus, this week I want to walk with You. Help me see what You see.”
2. Cleanse Your Heart (Holy Monday & Tuesday)
Read: John 2:13–22 (Jesus cleanses the Temple)
Holy Monday recalls Jesus cleansing the Temple—a dramatic act of purifying God’s house.
Reflect:
- What in my life needs cleansing?
- Are there habits, distractions, or sins that crowd out time with God?
Practice:
- Do a “spiritual spring cleaning”—confess sin in prayer.
- Declutter your prayer space or home to make space for silence.
- Fast from media or a distraction that competes with time with Jesus.
3. Anoint Jesus with Your Love (Holy Wednesday)
Read: Mark 14:3–9 (The anointing at Bethany)
On Holy Wednesday, we remember the woman who anointed Jesus with costly perfume—an extravagant act of love before His death.
Reflect:
- What is my “costly perfume”—what can I offer Jesus this week?
- Am I giving Him my best or leftovers?
Practice:
- Write a love letter to Jesus or create a piece of art just for Him.
- Do an anonymous act of service as your “gift.”
- Set aside time for worship—sing a song or listen in stillness.
4. Share a Sacred Meal (Holy Thursday)
Read: John 13:1–17; Luke 22:14–20
Holy Thursday is about the Last Supper—Jesus sharing bread and wine with His friends, washing their feet, and teaching them to serve.
Reflect:
- Do I make space for communion—with God and others?
- Am I willing to serve like Jesus, even when it’s uncomfortable?
Practice:
- Host a simple Holy Thursday meal at home.
- Wash your family’s feet (or hands) as a symbol of humility.
- Attend Mass or a church service with Eucharist and quiet reflection.
5. Sit at the Foot of the Cross (Good Friday)
Read: John 18–19
Good Friday is the most solemn day of the Christian year. Jesus is betrayed, beaten, and crucified. But in His suffering, we are healed.
Reflect:
- Have I been avoiding the cross in my life?
- Where do I need to let Jesus’ suffering transform mine?
Practice:
- Spend three hours in silence (from noon to 3pm if possible).
- Pray the Stations of the Cross or reflect on the Seven Last Words of Jesus.
- Wear black or keep your home dim to honor the somberness of the day.
6. Embrace the Silence (Holy Saturday)
Read: Matthew 27:57–66
Holy Saturday is the day Jesus lay in the tomb. It’s a day of waiting, grief, and stillness.
Reflect:
- Can I trust God even when I don’t see what He’s doing?
- Where in my life am I waiting for resurrection?
Practice:
- Avoid major distractions. Unplug from noise and busyness.
- Pray with Mary and the disciples in the “in-between.”
- Light a single candle at night, symbolizing hope in the darkness.
7. Celebrate the Empty Tomb (Easter Sunday!)
Read: John 20:1–18
He is risen! Death has been defeated. The tomb is empty. And our hearts can be full of His life.
Reflect:
- Where in my life do I need the light of the Resurrection?
- How has this Holy Week transformed me?
Practice:
- Shout “Alleluia!” with joy. Dress in white or bright colors.
- Share your testimony with someone or write it down.
- Attend Easter Mass or sunrise service with awe and gratitude.
- Make a joyful feast—celebrate Christ’s victory with food, music, and fellowship.
Bonus: Simple Daily Holy Week Rhythm
If a checklist feels like too much, try this daily rhythm:
- Mornings: Read a Gospel passage and journal a reflection or prayer.
- Afternoons: Take 10–15 minutes of silence—just be with God.
- Evenings: Light a candle. Pray with your family or quietly meditate on Jesus’ love.
Easter Is for the Prepared Heart
Easter is not just a celebration of something that happened 2,000 years ago—it’s the declaration that new life is possible now.
But resurrection begins in the grave of surrender. As you prepare your heart during Holy Week, remember: every act of reflection, every moment of silence, every prayer whispered in trust is a stepping stone toward Easter joy.
So come. Walk the road with Jesus this week. From the palm-strewn streets of Jerusalem to the silence of the tomb, let your heart be broken and healed, emptied and filled, buried and raised with Christ.
He is risen—and He wants to raise you too.
Looking for a printable version of this Holy Week Checklist? I’d be happy to create a downloadable guide or family devotional—just say the word!