Thursday - The Gospel According To Mark
Welcome to daily prayer. This is the opening week of an 11 week journey through Mark’s account of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today we focus on the baptism of Jesus. As we begin our time together, let’s quiet our hearts and minds before the LORD.
Lord, I’m here again to be with you. I want your Word to dwell richly in me.
I want to remove anything that would keep me from hearing from you, seeing you, or following you. I surrender today. I join with the ancient prayer of Richard of Chichester, “O dear Lord, three things I pray: to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly.” O Lord, we look to you for life.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
A Scripture Reading form Mark 1:9-11:
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 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.”
A Prayer or Adoration:
Father, Son, Holy Spirit. We come to know you as you are saving us. Here is a picture of the triune God at Jesus’ baptism. Father, you are the sender. You are the voice from heaven. You made the proclamation. You gave your affirmation of Jesus, the one that you sent and the one that you love.
Jesus, you are the Word made flesh. You are the well-beloved Son and the promised king of Psalm 2. You are the faithful servant and ruler of Israel. You identified with God’s people and you rescue God’s people. You are full of the Spirit and the promised Spirit baptizer.
Holy Spirit, You are the Spirit of life. You are God’s empowering presence. The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord. You descended on Jesus and remained on him. Like the dove after the flood, you are the sign of the new day and the power source of the kingdom.
A Prayer of Confession and Trust:
Lord, I make the good confession today- Jesus, you are the Beloved Son of God. I trust that Jesus is the Christ. He had the witness of John, the affirmation of the Father, the witness and anointing of the Spirit. I trust that Jesus identified with John’s baptism in order to reveal himself, fulfill all righteousness and bring his saving kingdom. I trust that the same Spirit who descended on Jesus lives in me.
A Prayer of Intercession:
Lord, I pray today for those who don’t know you. You revealed yourself uniquely in history in the coming of Christ and you continue to reveal yourself through your Word and your Spirit. Empower us to be witnesses for you.
We also pray for those who were baptized on Sunday. May they crave the pure spiritual milk of your Word. May they live lives of faith, hope, and love. Father, may they experience in their lives what your Word promises for all who trust in Christ- an inner testimony by your Spirit that they are your children.
A Moment of Reflection:
Father, you sent Jesus, your only begotten Son in order that we would receive the Spirit of your Son into our hearts. Jesus became like us so that we could be united to him and receive the affirmation that belongs to him, “You are my Beloved Child.”
Lord, is there anything that is keeping me from experiencing the witness of the Spirit and the assurance of your love?
Read Again:
As we hear the Scripture again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Lord may want to highlight from todays passage.
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
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.”
And now Our Weekly Passage to Memorize and Consider:
Mark 1:14-15
Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.”
Lord, thank you for your Word
Let’s pray the Lord’s Prayer together as we close:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever...amen