Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is Mark 12:29-31 (ESV).

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Today we read Mark’s account of Jesus teaching The Greatest Commandment. Jesus surprises all of them with His answer to what is most important by telling them to love God and their neighbor. He is trying to get them (and us!) to see that these cannot be separated. If you don’t love God, there really isn’t anything else to love. If you don’t love your neighbor, you can’t truly love God because that is what He has told us to do. Love God, love neighbor and everything else follows.

Gracious God, we are thankful for the coming of Jesus to teach us the way, and save us from our sins. May we go to tell everyone of the blessing of salvation. Amen.

Our scripture today is Mark 11:17 (ESV).

And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”

There are many levels to this lesson, but the most vivid is an angry Jesus stopping the disrespect for the Lord’s House and God Himself. The sacrificial system that originated when they were a nomadic people has evolved into a complicated, monopolistic system that enriches the sellers. What had been an honest and valuable service – providing the sacrifice so people didn’t have to catch or bring their own – became the only “authorized source” for Temple sacrifices at outrageous prices. This is part of what Jesus was so angry about, that people were making ridiculous money unscrupulously, right in front of the Temple. Like many human things that began innocently enough, we have failed in using this to honor God.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we have made Your church and Your worship into something for ourselves. Forgive us, plant our feet on solid ground, and send us to share the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is Mark 10:52 (ESV).

And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

I wrote this as part of an exercise at a retreat and I’ve shared it before, but it seems to express how I think the man who was healed felt.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I know you’ll be real surprised to get a note from me since I haven’t been able to write for the last 10 years, but I have really amazing news – I can see again! Yes, miraculous is the only way to describe it but here’s what happened. Jesus was coming down the road where I was sitting in my spot. How did I know it was Jesus? I was blind, not deaf! Anyway, I shouted to him, he stopped and asked what I wanted. I told him I wanted to see! Jesus said to me “Go, your faith has healed you” and right then I could see again! I know this is quite a shock, but there’s more – I’m going to Jerusalem with Jesus! I promise I’ll pick up a new cloak the first chance I get. You may think regaining my sight must have made me crazy, but I’ll tell you, once Jesus has touched you, you can’t just go back and sit in your spot anymore.

Your loving son, Bartimaeus

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for a Savior who heals us physically, but more grateful that He came to save us from our sin. Bless us not to go back to our spot, but to follow on the way. Amen.

My apologies for being out of touch. I’ve had a head/chest cold and took some rest. Much improved now.

Our scripture today is Mark 5:19 (ESV).

And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

There are some people Jesus heals that are called to follow Him (like blind Bartimaeus we will read about later in Mark 10:46-52). However, in today’s story Jesus heals a demon possessed man who asks to follow Him, but Jesus gives him other instructions. Jesus is sowing seeds in places that Paul and other missionaries will visit. It is the source of things like the account in Luke 9:49 of someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name who “does not follow with us”. The disciples didn’t see that they were not the only “Jesus community” in the world. These are the fruits of telling others how much the Lord has done for you.

Gracious God, You sent Your Son that we might be saved from our sin. Help us to share Your love with all our brothers and sisters, telling them of Christ’s saving power. Amen.

Our scripture today is Mark 4:31-32 (ESV).

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.

Jesus gives us an analogy for God’s kingdom several times in scripture. Our efforts in His name, which may seem small to begin with, can have a great and lasting impact. Like the tiny mustard seed that grows large enough to provide a home for the birds, our outreach can provide physical comfort and spiritual guidance for all God’s children in need. Jesus encourages us to continue our evangelism even when we can’t see the larger picture or the results.

Gracious God, You have called us to responsibility for all Your gifts. Help us to see one another as gifts as well, caring for everyone with Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is Mark 4:2-3 (ESV).

And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.”

Jesus teaches the people in parables, short stories using familiar characters, objects and situations. These are intended to make them think and discuss and ask questions. See how Jesus frames this story about how seeds are sown and grown with “Listen” and “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:9). Jesus knows we need to be led to these ideas slowly so we fully comprehend what they mean for us and the spreading of God’s kingdom. Those not really listening only hear stories about everyday things, those who are earnestly seeking God hear beautiful guidance to follow Jesus and share the Good News.

Loving Lord, You sent Your Son to teach us what is important, here and in eternity. Help us to listen very carefully, and go to share Your word with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Mark 2:17 (ESV).

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus spoke plainly about us and sin. Sin is a sickness we suffer and Jesus is the cure. Some were surprised Jesus didn’t cater to “the good guys” as other teachers had, often trying to “get in” with those in power. No, He tells us very distinctly that He came to save sinners. If you are not lost, Jesus doesn’t need to seek you! You should already be following Him.

Gracious God, You came as one of us to love and save and free us. Bless us to go to all Your children with the joy of salvation. Amen.

Our scripture today is Mark 1:10-11 (ESV).

And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Remember yesterday we spoke of Mark’s Gospel being fast-paced? Here we are ten verses in and John the Baptist has prepared the way for Jesus and He is being baptized! Mark wants us to see how quickly the kingdom of God can move when we are inspired by the Spirit. Jesus tells us later that He will send “another Comforter” to be with us (John 14:16), the same Spirit that descended on Him at His baptism. Jesus wants us to know we are never alone.

Gracious God, You sent Your Son to save us from our sin, and Your Spirit to guide us as we go in Your name. Bless us to be eager disciples, carrying Your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is Mark 1:1 (ESV).

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The Gospel of Mark is known for being brief and to the point. He opens with a firm declarative statement – Jesus is the Son of God. Most scholars agree that Mark is the oldest Gospel, dating it between 65 – 75 AD, ten to twenty years before the other Gospels. Realize these are all “guestimates” based on other references. Why does this matter? It isn’t as important as anything Jesus taught us, but knowing a little background about when it was written can help us better understand the way people would have seen it, and then better apply the lessons to our lives. Mark can sometimes sound like the condensed version of other Gospels, even though it was written first. Look for examples of “immediately” or similar wording in your Bible version. He points us to urgent action. Mark is all about God’s will being done right now!

Loving Lord, help us when we seem slow in our discipleship. Spur us to use Your gifts in the world that all Your children may know Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV).

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

We have talked about the Great Commission before. It is an essential part of our faith, Christ’s invitation to be His disciples and to go in His name so everyone hears the Good News. Jesus gives us another promise as well – “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Our call is not to go alone but with Him as our constant companion and support.

Heavenly Father, You have blessed us with the gift of salvation through Christ our Lord. Send us to share Your love with the world that all Your children might repent and be saved. Amen.