Holy Week - a Guide to PrayerSample

A very strange thing happened that day. At this point, we have seen Jesus perform miracles and preach the message of a loving God that gave these followers hope they hadn't felt in years. But, on this particular day, Jesus said some weird stuff. Most of our Bibles title this moment in history as “Jesus the Bread of Life.” When we think about Jesus as the Bread of Life, we often think about the passage in John 6:35:“I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again…”That’s the kind of leader I want to follow. Except now, a few verses later, he’s telling this same crowd that unless they eat his flesh and drink his blood, they will not receive eternal life.

Now, I don’t know about you, but that’s the point when I might walk away. That feels like Jesus straying way off the beaten path of performing miracles and preaching messages of hope.

Except, on this side of the resurrection, we know this eating of flesh and drinking of blood is a sacred act of Communion—remembering the sacrifice made on the cross by the shedding of the Lord’s body and blood for us. But the crowd at that time? They didn’t understand.

So, when you think about Peter’s response, well, that should change us. Peter says,“To whom else would we go, Jesus?” Peter acknowledges and remembers in that moment that he wouldn’t dare walk away from the promises of eternal life. That singular act of faith has changed mine. Through the hard seasons and very hard seasons, “to whom else would I go?” If you are in the midst of an impossible circumstance, “to whom else would you go?” Begin praying the miracle prayers again. Confess today that you have strayed from his promises, but like Peter, want to declare again, “TO WHOM ELSE WOULD I GO? ”When you abide in his presence and trust in his promises, you will have a testimony on the other side of an impossible circumstance. You will have a story to tell that will encourage the next generation to remain faithful in all things and at all times.

Today, Peter’s faithfulness teaches us that it’s ok to be faithful even if we’re not faith-filled. Faith is not the absence of fear or doubt—faith works alongside those things if we abide, if we remain. Because “to whom else would we go?”

At this point, many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:66-69

Prayer For the Day

Jesus, give us the courage to abide in you. Thank you for people like Peter who, just like us, are full of fear and doubt at times, and yet are faithful through it. Teach us more about who you are. Help us to experience you afresh in this Holy Week. Give us a renewed sense of your Spirit in our lives, in our church, and in our world. We trust you. We know you are in control. Help us to love as you love. Thank you for loving us so well.

It's in your name we pray,
Amen