Thursday - The Gospel According To Mark
Welcome to daily prayer and our journey together through Mark’s account of the Gospel of Jesus. Today we find another parable Jesus uses in Mark 4 to help his followers have understanding about growth in the kingdom of God.
Almighty God, as we come to you today, we rest in your rulership and sovereign power over every aspect of life. Oh King of kings and Lord of lords, we submit everyone and everything to you. We quiet our hearts to hear from you. Holy Spirit, will you guide us into all truth this day?
A Scripture reading from Mark 4:30-34
And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples, he explained everything.
A Prayer of Adoration
Lord Jesus, we worship you as the great I AM, the One who emptied Himself, and was humbly born on earth as a man with the destination of a cruel cross to purchase salvation. Your death sowed the seeds of life for ALL who will trust you, and your heart is that NONE should perish. What a massive kingdom you envision! Thank you for coming to make your Father known to us and to reveal His kingdom ways. Jesus, you are the Word, and as in the beginning, still speaking to your people in this hour. Though it may seem like a tiny gesture, make my heart your dwelling place today, and let the truth of your word take root and expand through my life.
A Prayer of Confession
Let’s notice in today’s Scripture that the birds who devour the seed in the first parable we read in Mark 4 are nesting in the shade of the massive mustard plant. God’s kingdom grows in the midst of a world where darkness and evil multiply alongside it, and with a very real enemy who subtly seeks to deceive us. Since the kingdom spreads through individual hearts fully surrendered, can we echo David’s prayer recorded in Psalm 139:23-24: Search me thoroughly, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. As you linger here for a moment, allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to any area of repentance that has hindered growth in your life.
A Prayer of Trust
Lord, you are not threatened by the presence of evil, nor did you choose to take your children out of this dark world. Our real and present enemy seeks to snatch away the seeds of truth. Yet you set us apart unto yourself by your powerful word. I consecrate myself completely to you. Standing in your authority now, I command the lying voice of the enemy to be silenced over me! Bring my words and my thoughts into alignment with your perfect will - that kingdom power and advancement might be released through me wherever you lead. Grow your kingdom through the surrender of my life today!
A Prayer of Intercession
The apostle Paul gives us another glimpse of kingdom growth in Ephesians 4:14 & 15, so let’s pray it over ourselves and our congregation: As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Make this true of us Lord! Grow me up and help me to “work properly” for your Kingdom. We also pray for a hedge of protection over our staff and ministry team leaders and their families. Cover and keep them! In every one of our small groups, may there be rich fellowship and an atmosphere of authenticity where true transformation and healthy growth can occur.
Scripture Reading
As the Scripture is read again, let’s ask Jesus to explain it to us in a way that we can truly hear and respond.
And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples, he explained everything.
Now let’s take a moment to meditate on our weekly Scripture memory verse from
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.”
Closing Prayer
Holy Spirit, hover over every mustard seed of faith in the hearts of your people and bring forth a great harvest! May your kingdom be multiplied through Heritage Church and to all the nations. Amen.