Tuesday - The Gospel According To Mark

Welcome to Daily Prayer. This is week 9 of an 11-week journey through Mark’s account of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we begin our time together, let’s quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord.

A Scripture Reading from Mark 9:38-50

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward. 42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

A Prayer of Adoration

Jesus, we adore You as the One who fiercely values the “little ones.” You see those the world overlooks — the vulnerable, the unnoticed, the spiritually young, the easily dismissed. You welcome them. You defend them. You take personally how they are treated. We praise You that Your kingdom is not exclusive or guarded by status. Anyone who comes in Your name matters to You. Anyone who serves, even in small ways, is seen by You. You are both gentle and strong — tender toward the weak, and firm against anything that would harm them. We worship You as the Shepherd who protects Your people and calls us to do the same.

A Prayer of Confession

Jesus, we confess the ways we have failed to welcome others well. We draw lines where You have not drawn them. We exclude those who don’t look, act, or serve the way we expect. We confess the pride that says, “They’re not with us,” when You are clearly at work in them. We confess the ways we may have caused others to stumble — through our words, our attitudes, our silence, or our hidden sin. We have not always considered how our lives impact those

who are watching, those who are learning, those who are vulnerable. Forgive us for minimizing sin and overlooking its impact on others. Forgive us for taking lightly what You take seriously.

A Prayer of Trust

Jesus, we trust that Your commands are for our good and for the protection of others. When You call us to remove what causes us to sin, even when it feels drastic, we trust that You are leading us into freedom, not restriction. We trust that holiness matters — not just for us, but for those around us who are influenced by our lives. We trust Your heart for unity, that anyone working in Your name is not our enemy, but part of what You are doing in the world. Teach us to live with open hands toward others and firm boundaries toward sin. We trust Your way, even when it challenges us deeply.

A Prayer of Intercession

Jesus, we lift up the “little ones” — children, new believers, the vulnerable, those easily influenced or overlooked. Protect them from harm. Guard them from voices and influences that would lead them away from You. We pray for churches and communities to be safe places of welcome, growth, and care. Where no one is dismissed. Where no one is used or overlooked. We pray for leaders and believers to take sin seriously, to live with integrity, and to remove anything in their lives that could cause others to stumble. Give us hearts that protect, lives that model truth, and communities that reflect Your love.

Read Again

As we read some of 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.

42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut

it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not

quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

A Moment of Reflection

Jesus, I pause and reflect on my life. Is there anything in me that could cause someone else to stumble? Are there attitudes, habits, or compromises that I have allowed to remain? Show me what needs to be surrendered, what needs to be removed, what needs to change. And show me who I may be overlooking. Who can I welcome? Who can I encourage? Who needs to experience Your love through me? Shape my life to reflect Your heart.

A Weekly Verse to Memorize

Mark 10:15 

“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Closing Prayer

During these last few moments, ask the Lord, “Is there anything in my life that I need to remove?” And, “Who are You calling me to welcome and care for?” Sit with Him — and respond to what He shows you.