Friday - The Gospel According To Mark

Welcome to Daily Prayer. This is week 2 of an 11-week journey through Mark’s account of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are going to follow Jesus all the way from the wilderness to the cross and empty tomb. May our hearts burn within us as we travel along the way. As we begin our time together, let’s quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord.

A Scripture Reading from Mark 1:40-45

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

A Prayer of Adoration

Jesus, we worship You as the King who makes the unclean clean.

You are not repelled by brokenness or impurity—you move toward it with compassion and authority. With a willing heart and an outstretched hand, You touch what others avoid and restore what has been cast aside.

We praise You as the One whose holiness is not threatened by our uncleanness, but overcomes it. You do not merely cover our shame...you remove it. You do not distance Yourself from us...you draw near. We honor You as the compassionate King whose authority brings cleansing, restoration, and new life.

A Prayer of Confession

Jesus, we confess that we often carry shame, guilt, and brokenness longer than You ever intended.

There are times we hesitate to come to You, believing our sin, our past, or our wounds make us unworthy of Your touch. We confess the moments we hide instead of kneel, or assume distance where You offer compassion.

Forgive us for believing lies about ourselves rather than trusting Your mercy. Forgive us for doubting Your willingness to cleanse us completely. We bring every unclean place—seen and unseen—before You now, asking You to make us whole.

A Prayer of Trust

Jesus, we place our full trust in Your power to cleanse and restore.

Just as You spoke the words, “I am willing,” we believe that Your heart toward us has not changed. Your grace is sufficient, Your mercy is complete, and Your cleansing is thorough. We trust You not only to forgive our sin, but to restore our identity and send us forward renewed. Teach us to live free from shame and confident in Your work within us. We trust that when You cleanse, nothing remains the same.

A Prayer of Intercession

Jesus, we pray for all who feel unclean, excluded, or beyond hope.

We lift up those weighed down by guilt, addiction, broken relationships, or deep shame. May they encounter Your compassion and hear Your words of willingness and love.

We pray for our families, neighbors, and communities—that they would know You as the King who restores dignity and brings people back into wholeness and belonging. Use us as living testimonies of Your cleansing power, so that many would see Your mercy and be compelled to seek and follow You.

Read Again

As we read the passage again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

A Moment of Reflection

Jesus, our King, we come before You grateful for who You have revealed Yourself to be.

Everywhere You go, Your presence brings life, freedom, and restoration. We recognize that some of our sins and infirmities are obvious, but we also recognize that you know us better than we know ourselves, so search our hearts and point out anything that you would like to bring to light, touch, and heal so we may live fully for You.

A Weekly Verse to Memorize:

Mark 1:17

“And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”

Closing Prayer

Over the next few moments, allow the Lord access to your heart and mind. Ask Him to reveal anything in your life that needs cleansing, healing, or renewed trust. If there is a burden, a struggle, or a place of distance you’ve been carrying, bring it honestly before Him and receive His mercy. Finally, listen. Allow space for the Holy Spirit to speak — through Scripture, a prompting, or a gentle sense of peace — and respond in obedience, surrender, or gratitude. Let this time alter not just this moment, but the way you walk with Jesus throughout the rest of the day.