Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture for Good Friday is John 18:1-19:42, a long passage that is difficult to read or hear, because it documents our failure as humans to accept Christ when He came for us. It tells of His suffering and death in order to save us from our sin and our ungratefulness. I encourage you to read it today to be aware of the seriousness of our wrongdoing and the righteous sacrifice Christ offered for us.

Now it’s easy to say “we weren’t there, it wasn’t us” but if we are truthful with ourselves and each other, we know that we are as guilty as those who watched. When we have not cared for the last, the least and the lost among us, we have abandoned Him. When we have not shared His love in the world, we have cried “Crucify Him!” and when we do not follow His teachings, we follow the jeering crowd to Calvary.

Jesus knows our weakness and even in His torment, He asks “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). We can’t forgive each other for petty offenses, but Christ forgave the sin of the whole world! May we weep with those at the foot of the cross, knowing the One who loved us best has died for us.

Lord Jesus, we are sorry for the evil we do. Help us to see that You have freed us from sin and it no longer holds us. By Your love, we have been saved. Amen.

Our scripture for today is John 13:1-17.

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:1-17

In this passage, Peter initially objects to Jesus washing his feet. He doesn’t understand why the one of whom he testified “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16) would lower Himself in this way. As Jesus explains, he then cries “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Peter could be the poster child for us all. He is reluctant at first, but afterwards he is over enthusiastic. How often are we like Peter, hot and cold? We see other examples of this in his behavior – walking on the water to Christ but then sinking, declaring he would follow Jesus anywhere and then denying Him.

Jesus sometimes chided Peter and others with the gentle rebuke “Oh ye of little faith” (Matthew 8:26), telling them that they must grow in faith to see the promise He offers and understand the sacrifice He would make for us. May we hear and obey His call to grow as children of God and share our living faith with all the world.

Gracious God, in Your love and mercy You sent Jesus to save Your rebellious children. Help us to be the faithful followers You created us to be! Amen.

Our scripture today is John 13:21-32.

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
John 13:21-32

Jesus cares for His friends so much, He goes ahead with the Passover celebration with them even though He knows the betrayal is coming. Jesus is so focused on obeying God’s will, He is willing to endure the suffering that lies ahead. Even facing denial, pain and death, Jesus does what He has been called to do.

We are called by God for His purpose in the world as well. We know that along the way we may encounter the same obstacles Jesus did – disappointment, rejection, hurt. God doesn’t want these things for us, but because we live in a world broken by sin, they will occur.

God doesn’t promise we won’t be challenged by the world, but He does promise to be with us when it comes. Our trials may be different but His love for all of us is the same forever. As He was with Jesus through the ordeal of His final week on earth, He will be with us.

Loving Lord, our hope is in You. Help us to endure when we are confronted by evil, knowing and doing Your will in spite of the tests we face. Amen.

Our scripture for today is John 12:20-36.

Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
John 12:20-36

Jesus continues to prepare His disciples (and us) for the time when we will no longer see Him. He uses the analogy of light and darkness to urge us to listen and learn so that we may become “children of light”. Jesus calls us all to be His light in an often dark world.

He also teaches that His death is like planting a seed, that from it love and salvation may be shared with all the world like an abundant crop. He encourages us to value the promise of salvation above all things, even life itself. When we testify to His truth, we continue to bear fruit for His kingdom.

Through His faithful obedience, God is glorified. We must be true to God’s word if we desire to follow Him and be blessed to eternal life. May we reflect the light of His love to all we meet.

Loving Lord, our understanding is feeble but You teach us gently, making Your way clear before us. May we walk in Your light all our lives and help make the world ready for Your return. Amen.

During Holy Week we will read the passage from the Gospel appointed for each day. Our scripture for today is John 12:1-11.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. ” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
John 12:1-11

The last week of His life on earth was an eventful one, as Jesus prepared Himself and those around Him for what was to come. His friend Mary poured perfume on His feet, anointing Him as if for death. Even this act of worship was not without controversy as Judas protested the extravagance.

Jesus responds with the announcement that He would not always be with them. There are still those who don’t know what is to happen, or refuse to believe it. Do we fail to realize the sacrifice Christ made for us, focusing instead on what we want?

During this Holy Week, may we be fully aware of His saving grace for us and the life of servitude He chose to prove His love. Consider your relationship with Christ and what it is He asks of you. Let us all be mindful of His call on our lives.

Everlasting Lord, help us to see the path You have for us, even when it is difficult. Show us Your will and may it be done, now and forever. Amen.

Out scripture this week is Matthew 21:1-11.

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:1-11

Triumph! That’s what many people were thinking as Jesus rode in to Jerusalem that day. Tragedy! That was the thought of others who didn’t share the excitement, who feared the change Jesus brought. No matter who they were, they expected something from Jesus’ arrival.

How about us? What do we expect from Jesus? We too often don’t expect anything, preferring to just muddle along in our own way. Jesus wants us to react! His coming demands a response from us, the believer’s “Hosanna!” or the doubter’s question.

Jesus doesn’t mind if you have questions, people asked Him things all the time. Jesus knows that if you have questions He can engage with you, perhaps not always giving the answer you expect, but being in connection and discussion. Reach out to Him in everything, joy and success; fear and loss. “Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer”.

Gracious God, thank You for the gift of salvation through Christ our Lord. Bless us to be His disciples, sharing the joy of His coming with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 21:1-11.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:10-11

Jesus was apparently well known and the crowds were able to identify Him to others. His ministry around the region had attracted the attention of those looking for a new way of living and those who were troubled by His teachings. Jesus called people to a connection with God that had always been there for them, but they had never fully seen it.

Some were ready and willing, feeling the energy He brought to their faith, the courage of knowing God was with them through every trial. Others felt their positions and power threatened, fearful that this new prophet could indeed change the world. Regardless of their own feelings, no one was left untouched by His coming for us.

Are you feeling the power of the Lord reaching out you? On which side do you find yourself – expecting a change or fearful it will occur? Our lives are always affected by what goes on around us, but with His help we can live in faith, knowing our present situation is not the end. God said “Be not afraid, I go before you always” (Deuteronomy 31:8) and we can always trust His promise.

Loving Lord, we are often afraid and confused by the situations we face. Help us to trust in You, following the path that is planned for us through Your grace and mercy. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 21:1-11.

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:9

The shouts of the people tell us some very specific things about their hopes and beliefs in Jesus. Some cry “Hosanna to the Son of David”, a royal connection to the great king of history, indicating their desire for release from Roman oppression. Many wanted Jesus to be a warrior king who would lead them to political freedom.

Others call “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” and “Hosanna in the highest heaven”, showing their belief in Jesus as the Son of God, sent to save us from a far greater evil than a conquering earthly army. Our faith is the most important thing in this. Jesus often asked “Do you believe in me and in Him who sent me”, wanting people to understand that His kingdom was not of this world.

The cry “Hosanna” means “save us” and that is what we must still want most from Jesus. Salvation, freedom from our sins, and an eternal relationship with Him are the promises He offers us when we turn from earthly things and put our whole faith in Him.

Gracious God, our trust is in You to save us from the real oppressor of the world, who would lead us away into sin. We want to follow You in love, sharing our blessing with everyone that sin may defeated forever. Amen.