Friday - Because He Lives

Welcome to Daily Prayer. This is Week 4 of the Because He Lives series — encounters with the risen Jesus. This week we pray through the encounter Jesus had with Peter, who had denied knowing Jesus in the fear and chaos of the crucifixion. Let us quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord, anticipating a special connection with him today. Father, today we give everyone and everything to you.

John 21:1–19 (ESV)

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.”

So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Word of Encouragement

Jesus brings Peter back again and again to one central question: “Do you love me?” Before the calling, before the shepherding, before the costly path ahead, Jesus addresses the heart. Love for Christ is at the center of faithfulness. That is important because it is possible to think mostly in terms of duty, performance, or usefulness. But Jesus wants more than external activity. He wants our hearts. He knows that faithful following flows from real love. And that love is not meant to remain private. It becomes worship and service. It becomes dying to self. It becomes a willingness to follow Jesus even when the path is costly.

A Prayer of Adoration

Jesus, I worship You as the One worthy of wholehearted love. You are not only worthy of obedience, but of affection, devotion, and trust. You are beautiful in Your mercy, faithful in Your love, and steady in Your truth. I praise You because there is no one like You. You are worthy to be loved above all else. You are worthy to be followed wherever You lead.

A Prayer of Petition

Lord, deepen my love for You. Do not let my life become all activity with little affection for Jesus. Bring my heart back to what matters most. Teach me to love You sincerely, steadily, and with growing depth. And let that love shape the way I live, even when it costs me something. Make me faithful in love and faithful in following.

A Prayer of Promise

Jesus, today I say again that I belong to You. I choose to follow You. I choose to trust that Your way is good, even when it is costly. I choose to place my life under Your leadership. Strengthen my heart to keep loving You, keep obeying You, and keep walking after You. Be the center of my life, Lord, and teach me what it means to follow You well.

Closing Prayer

During these last few moments, bring your heart before Jesus and sit with His question: “Do you love me?” Let Him search you gently, and ask Him to deepen your love, steady your obedience, and refocus your mind until the joy of following Him returns.