Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is John 18:5-6 (MEV).

They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, was standing with them. When He said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Jesus has used “I am” statements in parables before to help explain who He is and what He has come to do. They are gentle examples to make us think. Here it is very different. (This passage always makes me shiver.) When armed men come to arrest Him, He asks who they seek, and when they say ‘Jesus of Nazareth” He replies “I am He”. There is no gentle example here – this is the Lion of Judah, the Son of God – and at His statement ”they drew back and fell to the ground.” All the power of Creation at His command, but instead of defending Himself, He says “I told you that I am He. So then let these go their way if you are looking for Me” (John 18:8). Jesus gave Himself up in exchange for the safety of those He loved in the same way He gave Himself up for our sin.

Heavenly Father, we are amazed at what You have done for us by sending Jesus to save us. Forgive us for our timid discipleship. Renew us and send us to proclaim the Risen Christ everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 17:26 (MEV).

I have declared Your name to them, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.

John 17 records Jesus’ prayer in the garden, for Himself and for us. He asks God to protect those who follow Him and perfect our faith that we might carry on the kingdom work to which we are called. Specifically, Jesus asks that we may know the same love that exists between Him and the Father. He invites us to be part of the wonderful fellowship with the souls of all God’s children.

Loving Lord, You sent Your Son that we might experience the original connection You intend for all of us. Forgive us for our selfish disobedience and raise us up with Christ to life everlasting. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 16:33 (MEV).

I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have distress. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.

John chapters 13-17 are known as the Farewell Discourse, Jesus’ final teachings with the remaining eleven disciples after the Last Supper. Jesus knows of His impending death and has told them on several occasions. The disciples are confused and will only remember these last lessons later after the Holy Spirit comes upon them. They know then that Jesus has indeed overcome the world and they go to share that joy everywhere.

Heavenly Father, we are ashamed of our wicked weakness and ask Your forgiveness. Bless us to be new people in Christ, ready to bring Your love to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 15:18 (MEV).

If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

Jesus tells His followers an awful truth: the world will hate us for following Him. The world is under Satan’s influence and he stirs up chaos and conflict wherever people allow it. When we stand with Jesus and share God’s love, the worldly powers are threatened. We must be aware that there is a cost to our discipleship and that is letting go of worldly things that control us – power, position, wealth and the like. When Jesus said “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24), He wasn’t just talking about money.

Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son to save us, knowing the world would hate and reject Him. Help us to be faithful when our outreach brings resistance, and continue to share Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 14:26 (MEV).

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.

Jesus tells us we will not be alone after His death, resurrection, and return to the Father. While He will not be physically present with us, God has promised us the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us. We read about the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit in Acts 1. Through this presence we are blessed with a constant connection to God and the energy necessary to continue the work to which Jesus calls us. The gifts of the Spirit empower our discipleship and guide us where we are needed.

Gracious God, You sent Jesus to save us and You send the Holy Spirit to be Your presence with us always. May we go in Your name, sharing the love and grace You have for all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 15:1-2 (MEV).

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that bears no fruit, He takes away. And every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

In John’s Gospel Jesus makes a series of “I am” statements. Today’s verse is the last of these. The others are:

John 6:35 I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me shall never hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.

John 8:12 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 10:7 I am the door of the sheep.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

John 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live.

John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

In all of these Jesus expresses an aspect of His saving grace through a metaphor we can more easily understand. Today’s example shows that when we have a connection to Him, our discipleship can be fruitful, sharing the love of God and His call to kingdom work with everyone.

Loving Lord, you sent Jesus to be our Savior and Teacher, showing us the way to live in love with You and all people. Bless us to be fruitful followers of Christ, that the world may know You. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 14:2 (MEV).

In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.

I find this one of the most comforting passages in all of scripture. We can hear about forgiveness and salvation, but Christ’s promise that He is going to prepare a place for us is something we can really understand. Jesus tells us there is room for everyone who repents in the Father’s house. That may seem too easy, but it is what we are called to do first in order to be saved and become His disciples.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the gift of our Savior, and His grace that invites us to dwell with You. Bless us to share this invitation with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 6:29 (MEV).

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

In this verse prior to this, the disciples ask what they must do to do the work of God. This shows they are still thinking in human terms – give us a checklist of the things we should do. There is no checklist and doing won’t get us to eternal life. Jesus tells us plainly a number of times “believe in Him whom He has sent.” In John 3:16 we read “that whoever believes in Him shall not perish”, no mention of doing anything but believing. We fool ourselves if we think we can work our way into salvation. In John 14:6 Jesus tells us “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus says faith is the necessary and only first step we have to take, after that the things we do we do for God’s children in His name.

Loving Lord, help us to see that nothing we do can save us. The only way to eternal life with You is through Your Son. Bless us to tell the world of Your love given through Him. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 4:24 (MEV).

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.

This verse comes near the end of the larger story of Jesus and the woman at the well. There are many important things in this lesson. Jesus has led the disciples to Sychar, a Samaritan town where He engages a woman in conversation. This broke the cultural and religious “rules” against Gentiles and women in public. Jesus shows that God doesn’t care about these things, only that we love Him and one another, and go to share that love. Jesus has reached out to this woman and sparked her faith. The scripture says “Many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him, because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all that I ever did’” (John 4:39). Now many will be called to worship the Lord in spirit and truth.

Loving Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Son, to be our Savior and example. Bless us to go in Your name to share the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is John 3:16 (MEV).

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

You knew we’d go to this verse! This is probably the only verse many people know by its designation only. We see John 3:16 on a variety of things, reminding us that our witness does not go unnoticed. If it encourages people who are not believers to check out scripture, it has done its job. Here Jesus gives the best statement of His ministry and His sacrifice for us. While God’s word is much more than a single sentence, this verse is a great summary of His love and His promise.

Heavenly Father, we are thankful for the gift of salvation through Christ our Lord. Bless us to be the servants we are called to be, carrying Your word and Your love everywhere. Amen.