How To Pray And Come Away Changed
Lord, I’m feeling a bit down today. Lots of thoughts running through my mind. So many things to accomplish today! Mornings have been rough. It starts with packing lunches-the kids are not cooperating. Every morning I have to prod them to make their sandwiches, choose something healthy. I get tired of it. Weary. I know I should be grateful because we are blessed, but sometimes the routine is a burden to me.
“What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. “Crucify him!” they shouted. “Why?” What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Father, I feel like my husband doesn’t appreciate me. We never go on dates like some of our friends do. He’s a good man, but I just don’t feel special anymore. I know I nag a lot, but he seems so detached, what else can I do? If only he were the Spiritual leader I dreamed of….if only I were the supportive wife he needs….
The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and they called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
Lord, I’m meeting with those ladies again. And I have nothing to wear. I have clothes, but they aren’t the ones I feel good wearing. I just wish I had the budget to buy some new things to make me feel a little more current. Like I fit in. Is that wrong, Lord? To want to fit in?
They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull)). They offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. It was the third hour when they crucified him.
Heavenly Father, I’m feeling so sad. I didn’t get that position at work I was hoping for. I really believed that I was best suited for it and I have been working so hard to prove myself. You have to be the boss’s friend to get that far apparently. Even if you are not qualified. I’m so disappointed, Lord.
The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t same himself! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
Oh Lord, why is our daughter making these choices? Doesn’t she see that we raised her differently than this? How can she choose to be friends with those who are only going to bring her harm? Father, turn her from this wrong path and remind her of the way we have always shown her before it is too late.
At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi Eloi, lama sabachtahani”-which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain on the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Does God seem distant to you friends? Are you cumbered with a load of care? God always wants us to bring Him our burdens however big or small. He would not have us carry sorrows but instead, desires that we roll them onto His shoulders. On that glorious day, recorded here from the book of Mark, God spared not His own Son for you. He gave His best gift first. Leave your requests, and all your guiltiness too, at the foot of the cross lest the price that Jesus paid be for nothing.
His Majesty loves you.
He gave Himself for you.
Honor His sacrifice by your willingness to trust that He will answer you when you call to Him, whatever the circumstances today. Come away from the feet of Jesus like one who has been pardoned, like one who has spoken intimately with a personal God who loves to the point of death, and be changed.
YOUR TURN: Gazing at the cross often puts our concerns in perspective. Will you relinquish your burdens to your loving Savior?
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Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory. Psalm 115:1
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