Prayer Initiative: Closer to Jesus Sýnishorn

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

The Greek verb for “troubled” is tarasso. Tarasso means to cause an inward commotion, to take away calmness of mind, to disquiet and make restless, to strike one’s spirit with fear and dread, to render anxious, to perplex one’s mind by suggesting doubts, to agitate and stir up.

Oh, how many things can tarasso our hearts! From everyday hardships to a dreaded diagnosis to losing someone dear, from conflicts and unforgiveness to financial or political instability, natural disasters, wars, and so much more.

Jesus knew how hard it would be for His disciples when He had to go. More than ten times in this chapter, He told them He was going. Not one of His disciples could understand what He meant by saying that, but they could already sense the spiritual darkness thickening around Jesus.

In His humanity, Jesus also experienced tarasso. Before the crucifixion, Jesus knew what was lying ahead: the mocking, the humiliation, the beating, the thorns, and the agony of the cross. Yet He also knew He was going to the Father. His constant communion with the Father kept His inner axis immovable. He had kept His Shalom. So much Shalom that He was encouraging His disciples to take heart and not be afraid.

Shalom is hard to find in the world today. Yet we have it in Jesus. He is our Shalom. “I am sending you another Advocate, He will be with you and in you. I will not leave you orphans, I will come back. I will take you with Me where I am.”

So, dear friend, do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in Jesus. Hold on and be strong.

What is tarassing your spirit today? How can you recover your Shalom? What can strengthen your inner axis? How can you encourage someone whose soul is troubled? Ask Jesus: ”What do You have in Your Word for me today?” Listen and pray.

INTERCESSION: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:1)

PRAYER:

• Pray for believers to remember to wear their spiritual armor.
• Pray for your disciples to be strong in prayer, and faith, clothed in truth and righteousness, confident in their salvation, armed with the sword of the Spirit, and ready to bring the Good News to people.
• Pray that the Lord will remove the spiritual walls and obstacles that hinder people from believing in Jesus Christ.
• Pray for a powerful work of the Holy Spirit to bring revival in the country where you live.