Prayer Initiative: Closer to Jesus Sample

People can be merciless. Even little children are sometimes cruel to their peers if they are used to seeing violence around them. On the night Jesus took His disciples to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas didn’t come in peace. He brought a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests, carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons. Peter felt the hostility and reacted promptly. He drew his sword and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. Immediately, blood started to flow down Malcus’ face. But Jesus commanded Peter: “Put your sword away! No more of this!” Instead of fighting, Jesus touched the man’s ear and healed him. He had a cup to drink.

They arrested Jesus and brought Him before Annas, the high priest of that time, to question Him about His disciples and teaching. Peter was there. During the interrogation, one of the officials slapped Him in the face. Peter saw that, too. He got scared. When asked if he was one of Jesus’ disciples, he denied it. Then, the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor, Pilate. He summoned Jesus and asked Him if He was the King of the Jews, as His accusers said. While talking to Jesus, Pilate got confused, not finding any basis for a charge against Him. After futile attempts to liberate Him, Pilate succumbed to the pressure from the Jews, had Jesus flogged, and gave Him over to be crucified.

It is hard to see Jesus suffer like that. We want, like Peter, to take a sword and cut the enemy in the face. But Jesus’s Kingdom is not of this world. His was a way of suffering. The cross was the only way to bring salvation. Sacrifice was the only way to obtain redemption. We too are called to carry our crosses and follow Him, trusting for the Day He comes as King to make final justice in the world.

What moments of injustice have you experienced in your life? What can you learn from Jesus about trusting the Father when the world is rising against you? How is He calling you to carry your cross? Ask Jesus: ”What do You have in Your Word for me today?” Listen and pray.

INTERCESSION: "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58)

PRAYER:

• Pray for your disciples to be firm and steadfast, especially as the day of the Lord is near. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower them to keep their testimony alive.
• Pray for the disciples who abandoned faith and left the church. Ask the Holy Spirit to draw them back to Jesus.
• Pray for your disciples to remain diligent in the work of the Gospel.
• Pray this for yourself and your family. Pray the same thing for your church.