Wednesday - The Gospel According To Mark

Welcome to Daily Prayer. Today, Jesus the good Shepherd feeds his sheep in the wilderness, echoing God’s provision through Moses and Elisha.

As we begin our time together, let’s quiet our hearts and minds before the LORD.

Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. You are the Bread of Life. 

You are the one who satisfies.

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

O Lord, open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise.

A Scripture Reading from Mark 6:30-44:

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties.

41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

In this passage, the exhausted disciples return from ministry and Jesus wants them to rest but instead the crowd hears and gathers. Jesus sees the crowd as sheep without a shepherd and has compassion so he teaches them. He is compassionate and gracious. I encourage you after this time of prayer to go and read Isaiah 55 and look at the invitation to come to the Lord and not spend money on what is not bread and not to work for what will not satisfy. Jesus miraculously multiplies loaves and fish, echoing God’s provision of manna for his people in the wilderness. Jesus feeds 5000 and has twelve baskets full left over. He is the greater Provider who satisfies body and soul.

A Prayer of Adoration

Lord Jesus, you are the true Shepherd. You see our weariness and have compassion. You are compassion and gracious. You had compassion and you taught the people. You bless and break the bread and then give it to your disciples to disperse to others. 

We worship you as the One who provides bread for your people and satisfies our souls. You are the true Bread from Heaven who was blessed and broken for the life of the world and we worship you. 

A Prayer of Confession

Lord, forgive us when we see needs around us and feel helpless instead of bringing them to you. Forgive us for hoarding instead of trusting that you will provide. Forgive us for forgetting that you are Blessed One who was broken so that we would have everything we need. Teach us to seek first your kingdom and to trust that everything else will be provided. 

A Prayer of Trust

We trust you to provide for every need. You are able to provide for us physically, spiritually, and emotionally. What looks impossible to us is an opportunity for you to display your glory. We bring what we have to you and ask you to multiply it for your kingdom purpose.

A Prayer of Intercession and Petition

Father, I pray that you would cultivate in us compassion for those who are hungry and in need. Lord, would you provide and would you use us as your hands and feet. Feed your church with your Word. Provide for your people, for those who are in need. Lord, would you multiply the offerings that we give to bless many for your Names sake. 

More than anything, satisfy us with yourself.

A Moment of Reflection

Lord, what need am I holding on to that you are inviting me to bring to you today?

As we listen to the passage again, let’s listen for what this passage says about Jesus. 

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

And now Our Weekly Passage to Memorize together:

Mark 6:34

“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.”

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