Wednesday - The Gospel According To Mark

Welcome to daily prayer.

This is week 5 of our journey together through Mark’s account of the gospel of Jesus. We are looking at and praying through the 4th chapter of Mark this week.  

As we begin our time together, let’s take a few minutes to quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord. Jesus, I am so much like how you described your friend Martha. I am worried and concerned about so many things! For the next few moments, I want to be more like your friend and Martha’s sister, Mary. Help me to choose the better part and sit at your feet. I give you all the things I am worried and concerned about. I choose to sit with You now for a few minutes.  

Today, we are reading Mark 4:26-29

26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Let’s continue our prayer together by offering a prayer of adoration and thanksgiving.

Father, we praise You today as the creator. We read in Genesis that You spoke, and creation came into being. We thank you that creation continues to replenish itself. It is amazing that a seed is planted into the soil and then becomes a plant that bears something for us to enjoy…food to eat or beauty to behold. We praise you as the Lord of the harvest. We plant, we water, but You cause the growth!

Today’s scripture tells us that the Kingdom of God operates like the physical earth. We have a part to play in the growth of God’s kingdom. We may be able to offer some explanation for how things work, yet in the end, we “know not how.” 

Now, a prayer of confession.

Father, whenever I plant a seed, I assume that seed is going to somehow grow into a plant that will produce a flower or a vegetable or a fruit. I know not how. You are the Lord of the Harvest. However, when it comes to life, too often, I think I know how! I want to be lord of the harvest! I want to control the outcome! Please forgive me for thinking that I know best. I confess that many times the harvest that I insisted on producing has resulted in a big mess. Father, I repent, I change my mind, from believing that I am a better lord of the harvest than you,  

Next, let’s offer a prayer of declaration and trust.

Father, I declare that You are the Lord of the harvest! When it comes to crops, plants, flowers, and trees, You are the one who causes the growth. In the same way, You are Lord of the harvest in my life. I want to be faithful to do my part! Just like the farmer has a role in the harvest, to plant, to water, and to tend the crop, I know You have assigned a purpose for me in Your Kingdom. Your word tells me that I will reap what I sow. I need your help to plant the right seed in my life and in the lives of people around me. As I am faithful to do my part in the harvest, I trust You with the outcome! I relinquish control. I resign from having to be lord of the harvest in my life.

Now, let’s pray for others.

Today, let’s focus this segment of prayer on our local farmers. It is a tough period for farming in our country and region. Many farmers are discouraged and feel a sense of desperation. We live in a rural area, and farming is a huge part of our economy. Is there a particular farmer you know that you want to pray for now?

Father, thank you for our local farmers. As they plant their crop and do their part, please bless them with the right amount of rain and other weather conditions. Would you bless them with a bountiful harvest? We ask this in Jesus’ name!

Listen again to today’s scripture. Is there a word or phrase that stands out to you?

Holy Spirit, give me ears to hear!

26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

This is our weekly verse to memorize and consider which comes from the section we covered Monday.

Mark 4:20 & 23

“But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold… If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

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 glory forever and ever.

Amen