We are so glad you are joining us for these daily prayer devotionals as together we seek the heart of our God. Over the coming weeks, we will focus on some of the most meaningful words of our savior Jesus Christ from the book of Mark, as we follow his journey with his disciples on the path toward the cross. Our journey of prayer and fasting will culminate on Easter Sunday as we celebrate His resurrection, declaring victory over sin, death and shame.

Each devotion will take less than ten minutes of your time.

1. We will Engage the Word – looking at some of Jesus’ words in their biblical context.
2. We will Connect the Heart – considering a truth that is applicable to our lives.
3. We will Reflect on the Truth, asking a number of questions each day that invite us to look and listen with intent.
4. And we will Depend on the Spirit – We will pray, for it is in praying that we learn to pray. And it is in praying that the Spirit changes our hearts.

We want to encourage you to grab a journal or a notebook – something to write on as you walk through each prayer guide. Yes, it will add a few minutes to the time it takes to do the devotion, and it will also deepen your experience and shape your walk with God for years to come. This journal or notebook will be a keepsake to remind you of God’s faithfulness during this challenging season for all of us.

Engage the Word

Mark 2:3-5

        3  And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.   4  And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.   5  And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Connect the Heart

The paralytic was brought to Jesus by some of his friends. They cared for him enough to do whatever it took to get him to Jesus – though they didn’t know what was in store. When Jesus saw the incredible example of their faith, he did something unexpected – and even more supernaturally powerful than healing the paralytic – which he eventually did as well. He forgave the man’s sins. This proved his deity – and confounded the religious authorities, who were out to kill Jesus because of his claims to be God. Who is this Jesus – who claims to be God? He’s either a liar, a crazy man, or he’s truly who he claims to be… God.

Reflect on the Truth

• How does Jesus’ ability to heal this life-long paralytic display His even greater ability to forgive this man’s sins? And how is Jesus able to legitimately claim to forgive his sins?
• Is there an area of your life where you need to experience Jesus’ healing power?
• Is there an area of your life that needs Jesus’ ability to cleanse and forgive sin?

Depend on the Spirit

Take some time to reflect on those areas of your life that are out of alignment with God’s best, and where you need to experience the cleansing healing of Jesus’ forgiveness in your life.