Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this week is John 14:1-14.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 14:1-14

Jesus has much to tell us in this week’s lesson – that He is returning to the Father, that there is a place for us and we are called to the same relationship with God, and that we will carry on His work. This is a bit much for us to take in, but Jesus says not to worry, and promises what we ask in His name will be done.

We worry about things constantly, sometimes needlessly, and this often prevents us from doing something about them. Jesus said “do not let your hearts be troubled” assuring us of God’s love and mercy (v. 1). We are called to a wonderful ministry of care for each other through our relationship with God, following the example Jesus gave us.

Jesus told us to ask for help when we need strength, that “I will do whatever you ask in my name” (v. 13). He has the power and we may call on Him when we are in need. We can go into the world to share His love knowing that He has blessed us and promised us a place in His kingdom.

Gracious God, You have called us to be part of Your work to reach all people. Help us to be the strong but gentle way of change, that the world may return to You. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 14:1-14.

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:13-14

Jesus makes a promise to His disciples that whatever is asked in His name will be done. He tells us when we pray earnestly, God listens and is aware of our needs. The key here is that the name of Jesus is powerful and we should not ask for anything frivolously.

However, Jesus wants us to know that through prayer in His name, we can share our deepest issues, our greatest hurts and our highest joys with God. Our prayers are precious and serious to Him. No matter the situation, God expects and wants to hear from us.

We know that God answers prayer according to His plan, not our own human desires. It is not a wishing well or a magic lamp to give us what we want. Prayer is a serious and intimate communication with our Creator, a chance to speak and listen, to know that He is always working for our eternal good.

Loving Lord, we often come in prayer only to ask for things. Forgive our selfishness. May we be thankful for Your blessings and give You the glory always. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 14:1-14.

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
John 14:11-12

Jesus teaches that God is in Him, and He is able to perform the miracles that reflect this only because it is so. He tells us we will do even greater things through our belief in Him and His sacrifice for us. All of this points us to the importance of His relationship to God and our connection through Him.

Jesus tells us “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). We can’t make it on our own. Only through a living, growing connection – like a grapevine – can we accomplish the purpose God has for us.

When we follow His teachings and remain connected, we are able to share the joy of a life in Christ with those who are disconnected. We can show them how being a part of His kingdom is essential to our lives here and hereafter. Nothing is stronger than the bond between Jesus and His people, and nothing more important.

Gracious God, we long to be connected and fruitful, part of Your work in the world. Help us to be the faithful force that moves others toward You. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 14:1-14.

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. John 14:8-10

Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father not because he doesn’t believe, but because he doesn’t understand. As with Thomas asking about where Jesus was going before, the disciples have faith, but lack knowledge. This wanting to know is a very human thing and while Jesus encourages them to ask for understanding, He stresses to them that their faith and relationship to God are much more important.

Jesus wants us to be sure in our faith, but not to question God’s love for us or His plan. Many people wanted a sign or a miracle as “proof” of Jesus’ relationship with God. However, during His forty days in the wilderness Jesus rebukes Satan, saying “It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matthew 4:7), and the answer is the same for us.

Asking Jesus to tell us more because we don’t understand is not wrong, but eventually our faith has to overcome our doubt. We can’t test to see if God is telling the truth. We must trust that He is in control and plans only good for us.

Loving Lord, in Your grace and mercy You sent Jesus to love and save us. Help us to have faith even when we don’t understand and follow the way He has set for us. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 14:1-14.

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:5-7

Thomas asks the question that all the disciples are likely considering – “how can we know the way?”. They are thinking in human terms and want specific instructions. Jesus tells them that He is the way, the only way to be connected to God and to know Him is to know God.

Jesus wants them (and us) to understand His relationship with God to better understand and develop our own. He doesn’t ignore Thomas’ question but He doesn’t give him the “roadmap” the disciples are looking for, He tells them that following Him is the way they need to go.

We want things explained to us specifically, step by step and neatly packaged…and even then we often ignore the instructions we receive. Jesus says it doesn’t work that way, that each of us has a different call and different gift from God. We must each follow Jesus where He leads us individually, regardless of the way others go.

Loving Lord, help us when we are lost and confused. May we see the love You bring to each of us and the way You open for us. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 14:1-14.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John 14:1-4

Jesus tells us that He will return to take us to be with Him. Not only is there a place for us but He goes to prepare it. What a wonderful promise!

Jesus has tried throughout His time on earth to explain His relationship with God, and that we can know the same loving connection. We are blessed as His brothers and sisters. He calls us to believe in Him and what we have been taught that we may be with Him in the Father’s house.

Jesus knows the deep need we have to be in relationship with God and each other. He tells us we know the way – His way – and that we are all invited to be there with Him. All we have to do is believe in Him!

Heavenly Father, we pray for strength in trying times, knowing You hear and care for us. Bless us to bear the difficult situations we face by loving You as You first loved us. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 14:1-14.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 14:1-14

In this passage, Jesus speaks of what He will do for the disciples (and us) because we believe in Him. He says plainly “no one comes to the Father except through me” (verse 6). The disciples, Philip in particular, still have questions about the relationship between Jesus and our Heavenly Father, and ask to be shown.

Jesus doesn’t mind when we ask Him questions to better understand His teaching, but He doesn’t approve of asking for signs. This is why He seems concerned when Philip asks “show us the Father” (verse 8). He tells them if they have seen Him, they have seen the Father. Jesus explains that the things He says and does reflect God living in Him.

Jesus expects us to share His love with others by reflecting Him living in us. The very best way to honor Him and show we believe is to treat each other the way He treats us, with love and respect. Let the world know Jesus is in you!

Loving Lord, the world is a hard place sometimes, wrapped up in “proving” things. May we give proof of Your love by our outreach to everyone everywhere, sharing the joy of our connection to You. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalm 23.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:1-6

This is probably the best known Psalm of all, and appropriate for this week’s Gospel lesson from John 10 where Jesus says we are His sheep. The concept of the Lord as a shepherd had been written about many years before Jesus came as a human, but people still didn’t understand the full meaning of this saying. As we have read, being likened to sheep is not always a favorable comparison.

However, Jesus never referred to us negatively as sheep. He wanted us to see that our relationship was similar, that He was willing to do whatever was necessary to protect and save us if we only put our trust in Him. As the flock can follow their shepherd with confidence so we can follow Christ, with the assurance that He will lead us home.

Jesus teaches that we must choose to follow, we are not forced. Unlike sheep, we are responsible for our decision to obey. I hope you will read Psalm 23 in a new light today, hearing the thankfulness of an obedient follower and the promise made to us if we are faithful to our Good Shepherd.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the blessings You send, none more wonderful than our risen Savior. Thank You for being the shepherd of Your people, leading us to the joy of eternal life. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 10:1-10.

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:1-10

Jesus teaches about leadership and the responsibility God places on those who are called as leaders. He indicates to the Pharisees they are not providing the guidance the people need and that God will hold them accountable for their failure. We must hear this teaching as well for we are all called to be leaders of the faith, sharing the Gospel with all the world.

Jesus speaks not just to those in high positions but to each of us, that our words and actions are guides for others. He warns that desiring to be in leadership for personal satisfaction or gain is not why God calls us, and those who misuse their position must answer for it. His leadership is much different, based on love and His connection to the Father, and proved by His sacrifice for us.

This kind of sacrificial, serving leadership is not the way most human rulers have governed, but it is the way Jesus teaches. We should not seek power to exercise it over others or improve our situation, but to give of ourselves for the good of others. That is what Jesus did and what He would have us do.

Loving Lord, we thank You for the gentle way You lead us to a deeper connection to God through Your love and teaching. Help us to be gentle in our exercise of authority, using it not to show our power but Yours, working for the greater good. Amen.