Tuesday - The Gospel According To Mark
Welcome to daily prayer.
This week we are walking through sections from Mark 3 that reveal the new people that Jesus is forming and what it means to be part of God’s family. As Jesus’ ministry expands and draws crowds, we see that he chooses twelve disciples to be authorized apostles for his message. Misunderstanding and growing opposition from his family and religious leaders reveals how he is redefining true family around allegiance to himself. Today, we see Jesus choosing twelve to be apostles: to be with him and to carry forward his mission.
Opening Prayer of Surrender
As we begin our time together, let’s quiet our hearts and minds before the LORD.
Jesus, I belong to you.
I draw near to you.
Shine on me Lord.
I lift up my heart to you. I set my mind on you. I fix my eyes on you. I give everyone and everything to you.
O Lord, open my lips and my mouth will declare you praise.
A Scripture Reading from Mark 3:13–19:
"13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. 16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him."
The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus spent the whole night in prayer before choosing the Twelve. These were those God had appointed and chosen for this role. Apostle means “sent one.” Jesus intended the apostles to be his closest followers who would be shaped by his life, sent with his authority, and commissioned to establish and lead his new covenant people. We have their testimony in the New Testament. By choosing twelve, it was symbolizing a renewed Israel, the renewed people of God, centered on Himself to share his life in relationship and to carry forward his mission.
A Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus, you are the true Shepherd. You are the builder of your church. You are the faithful king and promised Savior. You are the chief cornerstone and the prophets and apostles carried your message as the foundation of the church. Lord, you sent them to preach the gospel and to cast out demons. Your people carry your authority.
Lord, I thank you that the foundational leaders of the church show us that it is all grace. They weren’t the elite. They were recipients and products of grace. They did what you gave them power to do.
Lord, your ways are not like our ways. You don’t see as we do. You love to use the ordinary, the weak, and the overlooked to establish your people. You alone are worthy of our worship, obedience, and trust. Jesus, we worship you as the the Ultimate Sent One who bears witness to the Father.
A Prayer of Confession:
Lord, this passage reveals that there were twelve chosen for this specific role and assignment of apostleship. It was not an open invitation but a selection. There were many disciples that were not appointed to this role. I confess there are times I have felt left out or overlooked. I have compared instead of trusting you. In pride, I have been offended. Forgive me Lord. Forgive me for not trusting your heart and purposes. I thank you that you know what you are doing and you are the Lord. I make the confession, you are in charge and I am not.
A Prayer of Trust:
I know there is a wide open offer of eternal life to anyone who trusts in you. I trust that you have prepared a place for me and its not based on my worth but your grace. Lord, I also trust that you have called us to serve in different ways for the good of your people. I trust you as the Lord and the Good Shepherd and I look to you for life and purpose.
A Prayer of Intercession:
Lord, build your church. You gave the apostles authority to proclaim the kingdom and confront darkness. Thank you for the unique role they played in establishing the church. Lord, you still intend your church to be apostolic. To be “sent ones’ who carry forward your message. Lord, would you renew spiritual strength in our church.
We ask that You would draw our church into deeper communion with you. We want to be with you. We want to be those sent by you. Awaken hunger in us. Stir love for your Word, and empower us to walk in your authority to proclaim the gospel and do the works of your kingdom.
Let Your kingdom come in our homes, our relationships, in our city. We especially pray for those getting baptized this Sunday. We thank you for them as they are identifying with you in baptism. Strengthen them with faith, hope, and love.
A Moment of Reflection:
Lord, where are you inviting me to slow down and be with you today?
As we listen to the passage again, let’s listen for a word or phrase that the Holy Spirit may want to highlight from todays verses.
13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. 16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
And now Our Weekly Passage to Memorize together:
Mark 3:35
“For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
Let’s pray the Lord’s Prayer together as we close:
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread and
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us
And 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