Thursday - Because He Lives

Welcome to Daily Prayer. This is Week 4 of the Because He Lives series — encounters with the risen Jesus. This week we pray through the encounter Jesus had with Peter, who had denied knowing Jesus in the fear and chaos of the crucifixion. Let us quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord, anticipating a special connection with him today. Father, today we give everyone and everything to you.

John 21:1–19 (ESV)

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.”

So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Word of Encouragement

Peter had denied Jesus three times. That failure was not small, and it was not forgotten. But Jesus met Peter not to shame him, but to restore him. He asked questions that may have been hard to hear, but they were healing questions. He brought Peter back to the place he needed to be: resting in God’s love. This is deeply hopeful. Jesus does not restore by pretending failure did not happen. He restores by pointing it out and meeting us with truth and grace. He knows exactly where we have failed, exactly where we are wounded by our own weakness, and exactly how to call us forward again. The goal of Jesus is not to leave us defined by our worst moment. It is to restore love, renew calling, and draw us back into faithful relationship with Him.

A Prayer of Confession

Lord Jesus, I confess the places where I have failed You. You know where I have fallen short in words, in motives, in choices, and in courage. You know the places where I have acted out of fear, self-protection, or weakness. I do not want to hide those places from You. I bring them into the light of Your presence. Forgive me, Lord. Cleanse me where I have sinned. Heal me where failure has left shame or discouragement in my heart.

A Prayer of Petition

Jesus, restore what failure has wounded in me. Meet me where regret still lingers. Meet me where shame has tried to take root. Bring truth where I have believed lies about myself. Bring mercy where I have been harsh with myself. Draw me back to love for You. Renew obedience, tenderness, and faithfulness in my heart.

A Prayer of Promise

Lord, today I choose to believe that Your grace is greater than my failure. I choose to believe that You are able to restore what has been broken. I choose to believe that my worst moment does not have to define my whole story. I choose to come back to You, to trust You, and to follow You again. Hold me in Your mercy and teach me to walk forward in humble faithfulness.

Closing Prayer

During these last few moments, bring before Jesus any place where failure, regret, or shame has weighed on your heart. Let Him meet you there with truth and mercy, and ask Him to restore love, healing, and fresh faithfulness within you.